2-йй авеню i Головна вулиця

 

Second Avenue and Main Street.

In Hafford, Saskatchewan the street signs are bilingual: Ukrainian and English.  A notable touch of cultural preservation.

Photographed on November 23, 2020.

Боднарі́

 

A beautiful sight on a country road from this past summer.

There were several families named "Bodnar" living near the church resulting in the parish being called "Bodnari."

The church was built in 1936 and...

...the bell tower was erected in 1920.  It's not often that a bell tower precedes the construction date of a church but there is a simple explanation for it: this is the original bell tower from the previous and much smaller log church that sat just north of the existing parish.  

Bodnari Ukrainian Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul is near Alvena, Saskatchewan, an area rich in Ukrainian settler history.

Information courtesy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

Saint Joseph near Mayfair

 

I woke up in the motel in North Battleford, Saskatchewan and as soon as I looked out the window I knew I was in for a treat...everything was thick with hoar frost.  As long as the sun didn't come out the frost would last for hours.  After a bite to eat and gas for the car I was on my way. 

I had been in the general area about a year previously and wanted to see a few spots that would now be covered with snow.  Everything looks different in a winter landscape.  Winter is a fresh view of things...all is clean, cold and white.

Not far from Mayfair I chanced upon Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

The octagonal steeple is unusual and appealing.

A perennial symbol at Catholic churches and cemeteries...the free standing cross.  

A shot of the church from the cemetery across the road.  I admit to having a soft spot for churches painted this creamy yellow colour...it's just so inviting and comfortable.

Photographed on November 23, 2020.

Courval

 

A silhouette of the Courval Pioneer Memorial built in 1967. The monument is dedicated to the pioneer families of the Courval, Eastleigh and Rodgers districts in southern Saskatchewan.

Photographed on November 3, 2020.

Touchwood Hills S.D. No. 444

 

Touchwood Hills School is near Punnichy, Saskatchewan.

There were three different schools bearing the same name.  The first school was in use from 1897-1905.  After a fifteen year hiatus the second school was built and operated between 1920-1931.  The third school, as shown in the photos, was the education centre for the community from 1932-1959.

Information courtesy of the Saskatchewan One Room School Project.

Photographed in a freak snow storm on November 28, 2020.

Kaminka S.D. No. 1632

 

The country location of a pioneer school near some rolling hills...

...and the town location just down the street from Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Same school, different locations...things change but stay the same.

Photographed in and near Tway, Saskatchewan on August 5, 2020.

A Beautiful Place Out In The Country

 

A beautiful end to the day at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church.   

Photographed at Maryville, Saskatchewan on November 26, 2020.

Pokrov

Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church dates back to the mid-1920's.  The central onion dome is a real beauty.

The single bell purchased in 1926 was mounted on posts until 1943 when the bell tower was erected.  

The parish hall was constructed by church members in the early-1960's.  Imagine all the perogie suppers they enjoyed here over the years.  

A cemetery sits on a rise on the northwest corner of the grounds.

A metal cross dated "1925" stands on the eastern edge of the cemetery.  The date is old but the cross in fairly new.

The cemetery accommodates a vast array of headstones and grave covers both new and old.  Look closely...the canola in the background is just beginning to bloom.

The name "Pokrov" refers to a town in Ukraine...a fond memory and a dedication to the settler's homeland.

The church is officially closed but a dedicated group of people keep the buildings and grounds in top-notch condition and I thank them for their time and care.

Information courtesy of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.

Photographed near Saint Julien, Saskatchewan on August 5, 2020.

Holy Trinity at Orolow

Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church at Orolow, Saskatchewan. 

Most of the immigrants to this small area of the province were of Polish descent. 

Inside is a white and gold altar. Still beautiful even though the three statues are now gone. The narrow wall at the back of the apse adds more drama to the altar setting. 

The back of the church is a traditional five-sided apse although the small six-sided cupola on the roof is a unique feature I haven't seen before. 

The cross on the steeple is simple, attractive and (dare I say it?) fun! The same ironmonger/blacksmith designed crosses for at least two other churches nearby but each one is just a little bit different than the others. 

Kitty-corner to the church is a small graveyard. The most recent burial I noticed was 2013...not so long ago. 

I love the old paige wire fence along the front of the cemetery. It doesn't interrupt the view. 

Photographed on November 24, 2020.

Claybank S.D. No. 3408

While out on a road trip I frequently come across signs marking the location of a pioneer school.  Unless I'm in a hurry (which isn't often) I like to stop for a few photos to mark the site and the occasion.  Many of these signs are quite plain in their execution but the important thing is that the historical location is marked for the near future for all to see.  Chances are this sign and many others like it will last for decades to come.

Also while in Claybank I stopped at Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church where I was lucky enough to gain access to their extensive archives.  The large collection of artifacts was somewhat overwhelming but what immediately caught my eye was this handmade banner for Claybank School...

...now that's pretty special.   

Photographed on November 4, 2020.