Michael and Mary

Michael and Mary Stelmach's final resting place at Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

The ceramic photographs on the headstones give the impression of "meeting" them...just as if they were still with us (as I'm sure they are).

Photographed near Tadmore, Saskatchewan on July 27, 2021.

Святий Володимир у снігу

"Saint Wolodymyr in the Snow"

After a cold spell over the Christmas season we were treated to some milder weather come New Years.  After being cooped up inside for over a week I was antsy to get out of the house and the first thing that came to mind was to revisit Saint Wolodymyr's near Cappon.  It's about a two-hour trip one way when the roads are in good condition.  Chances are the highways would be clear but the big question was: Would the last few miles of gravel road leading to the church be open? Well...only one way to find out.  I grabbed my gear and was out the door.

It was Sunday (also the day after New Years) and there was little highway traffic.  As it turned out, the highways and gravel roads were in great condition so a little over two hours after I'd left home I arrived at the front gate of Saint Wolodymyr's.  There was a brisk breeze but the sun was shining and it felt so good just to be outside.  The next hour was spent taking photos and walking through the grounds.  Even though the surrounding area is undeniably empty and desolate there is an unmistakable quietude on the church grounds.  Nice spot to stop and reflect.  Enjoy the photos.    

     

Saint Wolodymyr's is the white spot near the horizon line just to the right-hand side of the road.

Most of the snow had already slid off the roof with the warmer weather.

The remains of a neighbouring church are buried under this large mound. 

A long shot of the cemetery taken from beside the church.

This finely-crafted cast metal marker stands on a three-tier concrete base at the southwest corner of the cemetery.

See how the wind has swirled the snow around the headstones to blanket the graves.

The view from the cemetery.

This sign is beside the church.

Sunshine illuminating the lectern that stands in front of the communion table.

The gate and the view south.

The road to the church was in good shape but beyond that was covered with snow drifts....glad I wasn't going that way!  For me it was on to Burstall for a late lunch of Chinese food and then back home.  It was good to get out for the day.

 

More information and photos of Saint Wolodymyr's can be seen here (click the following link): 

Святий Володимир

Photographed near Cappon, Alberta on January 2, 2022.

Large as Life

I wasn't expecting to see a bridge in the surrounding flat prairie...but there it was, large as life!

This one-arch bowstring bridge crosses the Moose Jaw River.

Whereas many bridges of its kind were retired long ago, this one is still in daily use.

Looking directly north.  There is a large farmyard just up the road.

Photographed near Dummer, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Saint Boniface at Spring Lake

The congregation of Spring Lake Saint Boniface Roman Catholic Church was established in 1905.  The church was built between 1905 and 1912 by German Catholic settlers mostly from Minnesota and The Dakotas.  The church and grounds are an outstanding landmark in the community.

Photographed near Ankerton, Alberta on September 17, 2021.

(More about) the Witch House

A visit to the witch house this past fall. 

A link to a photo of how it would have looked in better days:  Click Here

A link to an informative article on catalogue houses:  Click Here

Photographed on November 19, 2021.

...and Gone

A continuation of yesterday's post.  It was now almost two years later and I was on a return trip to Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery at Westbrook.

The grounds were nicely manicured.

Autumn was here and leaves were beginning to fall.

Clouds swerve and sway in the big blue sky above the cemetery.

Just to the side of the bell tower was a new addition...

...a painting of a memory...

...for across the road where the church and hall once stood was virtually empty.

Aside from the outdoor altar, there wasn't a trace that the church or hall had ever existed.  They were simply gone.

But, ending on a positive note, the outdoor altar had been given a new paint job and it looks wonderful.

Photographed at Westbrook, Saskatchewan on October 10, 2021.