Saron Norsk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke

Saron Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1907.

It was the first Norwegian Lutheran Church in Canada...

...and hosted the first Lutheran circuit convention in 1908.

The church building was repaired and preserved by the Saron congregation for the sixtieth anniversary on November 10, 1967.

The congregation soon outgrew the tiny church and in 1916 erected a substantially larger church building on the same property.  The new church is a fine example of prairie Lutheran churches of the period.

The cemetery is situated between and behind both churches.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed near Hagen, Saskatchewan on August 6, 2020.

Remembrance Day Comes to a Close

 

An historical war memorial in Bateman, Saskatchewan.

No reason these courageous people shouldn't be remembered everyday.  Bless them all.

Photographed on November 3, 2020.

Remembrance Day

 

The Field of Honour at the Vulcan Cemetery in Alberta.

Photographed on August 26, 2019.

1920

 

The imposing old brick school in Ituna, Saskatchewan.

One hundred years old!

Photographed on October 9, 2020.

Highland School #3

This is Highland School #3...

...which is also known as Upland Township School #2.

Eight double hung windows stretch across the north wall of the building.  The dark coloured opening set into the foundation on the adjacent wall is the coal chute.

The covered entrance is on the southeast corner and is supported by a solid wooden column.  The steps are getting wobbly but the school building itself is in good shape.  Yes, it could use a paint job.

Look closely... 

...someone has marked the school site by placing a weathered wagon wheel near the entryway.

The mowed grounds set the school apart from the surrounding grassland making it the special feature of the area.

Photographed near Wildrose, North Dakota on December 19, 2018.

A Shot of Fall Colour

 

A rose bush displaying some fall colour against the vibrant green of a juniper shrub.

Photographed in the Mariahilf District of Saskatchewan on October 8, 2020.

Elevator in Dog River

 

The elevator in Dog River, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on November 4, 2020.

Kyziv

 

This is Kyziv Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery of Saint Dymetrius.  

It was late afternoon on a very cold winter day and I wanted to catch this one before the sun went down.  By the time I arrived the moon had risen high above the church.  There is a a steel crucifix beside the church...

...and another in the graveyard, both of which have inserts painted blood red.    

A view of the cemetery through the trees.

As was common at the time, the church was built with the volunteer labour and donations of the parishioners.

This is a rare architectural design I've encountered only a few times in my travels...in this case, a belfry with priest's quarters.  Wonderful workmanship!

The temperature was quickly dropping as was the sun but that winter light was so captivating I had to stay for a few more photos.

An attractive gate sign with doves atop both posts.  

As with many other Ukrainian country churches there is only one service annually on "praznyk" which is the feast day of the parish.  

Lighting inside the church is by candlelight only.

Photographed near Rama, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.

Sunset near Birmingham

 

A colourful ending to the day near Birmingham, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on October 8, 2020.

Día de los Muertos

Día de Muertos or, Day of the Dead, is observed in many European and Latin American countries and celebrates death as the natural end to life...once again the deceased awaken to celebrate with the living.  What a refreshing thought!  

One of the traditions of the celebration that I especially enjoy is honouring the dead with gifts of marigolds, "sugar skulls" and the favourite food of the dearly departed.  

This post celebrates the tradition with a selection of photos of Ukrainian cemeteries from central Saskatchewan and Alberta.    

(Above) August 7, 2020:  Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery near Nipawin, Saskatchewan.  The tall slender main marker is bold and attractive against the threatening sky.

August 4, 2020:  Pryma Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Smuts, Saskatchewan.  The church associated with this cemetery is just a few miles away and is named Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.  There is a fine array of traditional Eastern European grave markers in this country cemetery.

January 5, 2020:  Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox near Wroxton, Saskatchewan.  A small church and cemetery on the edge of town...picture postcard perfect.

August 5, 2020:  Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Tarnopol, Saskatchewan.  A bright summer day in the countryside.  I love the oversize dome on the church.

August 3, 2020:  Saint Mary's Orthodox Cemetery is just a few miles from Wakaw, Saskatchewan.  This is a view of the cemetery from just inside the tree-shrouded main gate.

February 21, 2020:  Saint Michail Cemetery near Myrnam, Alberta has many unmarked graves from the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919.  This cemetery is also known as Staray Tsventar (or simply, "Old Cemetery").  Well worth the walk from the main road to see this cemetery set in rolling hills.  

February 22, 2020:  New Kiev Holy Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery at New Kiev, Alberta.  One of the loveliest cemeteries I had the chance to visit this past winter.

August 3, 2020:  Saint John the Evangelist Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery near Prud'homme, Saskatchewan.  After supper I decided to take a drive south of Cudworth...in a word, "moody."

August 7, 2020:  Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Maryville, Saskatchewan.  A spectacular abandoned church that now occasionally appears in a dream from time to time.

August 7, 2020:  Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Cemetery at Brooksby, Saskatchewan.  It was a hot summer day on the prairie but the cemetery was picturesque and inviting.

January 4, 2020:  Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery at Dneiper, Saskatchewan.  An enfolding purple and pink sky on a late afternoon in winter makes a cold weather journey all worthwhile.

January 6, 2020:  The Ukrainian Catholic Parish and Cemetery of Saint Demetrius at Kyziv-Tiaziv near Rama, Saskatchewan. A beautiful sunset always makes for the perfect end to a cold winter day.

Happy life and afterlife!