Past Presence

Monday, April 05, 2021

Easter Monday

The Easter Bunny!

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 10, 2020.

Sunday, April 04, 2021

Easter Sunday

An open doorway.

Photographed at Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery near Melville, Saskatchewan on October 9, 2020.

Saturday, April 03, 2021

Holy Saturday

The stained glass at Saint Peter's Abbey Church (1990) in Muenster, Saskatchewan.

Above is an assemblage of twelve square windows on the west wall of the church. Each one is subtly different than the next.

The window over the front doors.

A sample of the clerestory windows. As the windows wrap around the walls the design and colours slowly change. This is an exquisite example of modern stained glass windows.

A wide view of the church interior.

Photographed on March 21, 2020.

Friday, April 02, 2021

Good Friday

A hand carved crucifix in Saint Joseph's Cemetery at Frenchville, Saskatchewan.

Among the hundreds of crucifixes I've seen over the years, this one captures the moment like no other.

Photographed on June 12, 2020.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Icelandic Cemetery

Just outside of Kandahar, Saskatchewan...

...over one hundred and fifty people of mostly Icelandic heritage are buried in this country cemetery.

Photographed on January 21, 2021.

Monday, March 29, 2021

No Service when Colder than -30°C

Saint Thomas Anglican Church is nestled into the woods near Perryvale, Alberta.

Look closely...no service when colder than -30°C (that seems more than reasonable).

The church is one of four in The Parish of Northern Lights.

A white church with green trim always looks homey and inviting.

A welcoming homemade sign on the front of the church.

Photographed on February 18, 2021.

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Rothbury Lutheran Cemetery

My first visit to Rothbury Lutheran Cemetery.

Looking over the double gate and just behind the small fenced cemetery you'll see...

...this bunch (they look like a pretty tough crowd!). When I arrived at the cemetery they were all grazing in the neighbouring pasture but as soon as I started walking around their curiosity got the best of them. That said, they were quite shy to say the least.

A shot from inside the cemetery. Other than the two large spruce trees, this is truly a prairie scene.

Photographed near Churchbridge, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2020.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

A Prairie Adventure

On a road trip last fall I met a couple of local fellows who gave me directions to Dressler Cemetery. Go a few miles up the range road...

...turn left at the abandoned homestead...

...follow the prairie trail...

...across the little bridge...

...up the hill and there you are: Dressler Cemetery! An adventure on the prairies.

A gate sign on the south side of the cemetery.

Some history:

"1891 - Dressler Centennial - 1991

"This marker commemorates 100 years since Christian Dressler and his family arrived in Canada.

"In 1884 Christian Dressler (1859-1932) married Elizabeth Kendall (1863-1948) in Landestren - a dorf in Galicia, Austria. Christian and Elizabeth's ancestors had moved to Galicia from their ancient homeland in southwest Germany.

"In 1891 Christian, Elizabeth and their three children emigrated from Landestren to Langenburg District, Assiniboia, Northwest Territories, Canada. They crossed the Atlantic aboard S.S. Sardinia arriving in Quebec City on April 27. On May 10 Christian applied for entry to the Dressler homestead on NE 26-23-32 W1st.

"This marker was erected in 2002 by Christian Dressler's descendants."

The grounds are well kept and the headstones are still upright thanks to the boys who gave me directions. A huge "thank you" to them for keeping our history alive and well.

The view to the east over the creek. This is a natural and undisturbed wetland that I'm sure the wild animals and birds appreciate. They need a place to call home as do we all.

Photographed near Churchbridge, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2020.