Saint Michael's near Montmartre

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church is near Montmartre, Saskatchewan.

The tall oversized cupola dominates this otherwise simple country church.

The free-standing cross in the cemetery is something more often seen in Ukrainian Catholic cemeteries making this an unexpected treat.  The grounds are surrounded by a caragana hedge interspersed with spruce trees, box elders and various volunteer trees.

I like the way the clouds seem to just hover and sway above the grounds.

Isolated from the main cemetery are these two headstones with the church in the background.  True to form, the brick chimney is painted white from the bottom of the wall to the eave of the roof.

Outside looking in...each of the windows is complete with an arch of yellow, blue and green coloured glass giving the church that little touch of grace.   

Photographed on May 19, 2021.

Christie Biscuits

A vintage advertisement for "The Purest of all Pure Foods" on the former J.P. Beauchamp and Company building (now the Lions Community Hall) in Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on May 18, 2021.

Pronghorn Doe and Fawns

Some photos from a few summers past...this mom and her babies stopped just long enough for me to get a few quick shots.  

I was quite a distance from them so zooming in will make for a much better view. 

Curious youngsters. 

Time to go.

Photographed on SH515 north of Elkwater, Alberta on June 20, 2018.

Horseshoe Canyon

Horseshoe Canyon lookout is over 4700 feet above sea level.  Just to put that into perspective, the Banff townsite in the Rocky Mountains is about 200 feet lower than that.  All of southeastern Alberta isn't as flat as some may think.

On a clear day the city of Medicine Hat can be seen over thirty miles away to the northwest.  And on a clear evening the starry night sky is nothing less than spectacular.  Highly recommended. 

Photographed in the Cypress Hills of Alberta on July 9, 2021.

(More of) Fairview

Fairview Methodist Church was built in 1903.

I have it on good authority (mixed with a helping of local rumour) that the fieldstones used in the construction came from the quarter section of land just north of the church.  

The wooden gable decoration is a simple but attractive feature of the stone building.

Only guessing, but the colour of the bricks used for the chimney suggest they may have come from the brick plant in Claybank, Saskatchewan.  

The cornerstone.

A look inside.

Midway in the church ceiling is this ornate and unusual decoration where the oil lamp would have hung. 

Looking back from the altar. 

There is a small cemetery a few hundred yards behind the church.

The church, cemetery and grounds are maintained by members of the Shaw family.  I phoned the number posted on the front door of the church and in less than five minutes was having a visit with Richard Shaw and his son.  Good times in the Saskatchewan countryside.  

A few more interior shots here:  Fairview

Photographed on May 19, 2021 near Davin, Saskatchewan.

41

Imminent rain over a canola crop just north of the Cypress Hills along Alberta Highway 41 (also known as Buffalo Trail).

Photographed on July 9, 2021.

Blue Hill United

An autumn visit to a country church and cemetery near Briercrest, Saskatchewan.

The cemetery is fenced and gated...

...with a wide-open prairie view.

The church interior is simple and unadorned.

Morning light on the white pews.

Looking out the front door.

This church was the first one built between the Soo Line Railway and the American border.  The church celebrated its centennial in 2007.

Information courtesy of the Blue Hill Centennial Committee.  

Photographed on November 4, 2020.

514

A shot of the western Cypress Hills from Secondary Highway 514.

Photographed near Eagle Butte, Alberta on July 2, 2021.

Canada Day

In light of current events I don't think I'll be taking part in any celebrations today.

Brownville S.D. No. 4677

A one-room school near Dollard, Saskatchewan.  The only thing that's changed in recent times is the new red metal roof.  

For a time it was used as a community hall but now appears much as it would have back in the school days.

Inside looking out.

A felt crest that many of the kids would have had their mom sew onto their favourite jacket.

Photographed on June 13, 2020.