Saint Mary's of Boian - Part One

Through this gate and up the road is Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church of Boian...known to many in the area simply as "the church on the hill."  As far as I know, Boian is the oldest Romanian settlement in Canada.

Well over one hundred years old and looks like new.  The church has been in continuous use since its completion in 1905 and continues to be used regularly to this day.

A view of the church and belfry from the edge of the cemetery.  A dedicated group of people take impeccable care of the church and grounds.  

The outdoor altar positioned between the church and cemetery.  The cross is fitted with light bulbs...must look stellar at night.

There are over five hundred known graves here dating back to the founding of the cemetery in 1901.  

A beautiful place out in the country.

Look at all the grave markers.  This is oldest section of the cemetery and is where many of the early Romanian settlers are buried.

The belfry is just inside the churchyard gate at the top of the hill.

And the door was open so, of course, I had to ring the bell.

It's always a joy to see a country church so lovingly cared for by the parishioners. 

Information courtesy of the Romanian Pioneer Museum of Boian and Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed near Boian, Alberta on September 19, 2021.

Easter Sunday

These wonderful wood carvings are a recent addition to Saint Joseph's Cemetery at Frenchville, Saskatchewan.  

The crucifix has been here for some years now but the carvings of Mary, Joseph and the birds on top of the gate posts are new as of this past summer.  A heartfelt "thank you" to those devoted souls for making Saint Joseph's Cemetery an even more beautiful spot than it was before.

Enjoy your Easter Sunday.

Photographed on January 25, 2022.

Good Friday

The crucifixion image is the twelfth event in the Passion of Christ portrayed in the Stations of the Cross.

The above representation is from:

Christ the King Roman Catholic Church

Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

Photographed on October 12, 2017.

And this depiction is from:

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

Sedley, Saskatchewan

Photographed on December 14, 2018.

Stations of the Cross are most commonly found in Roman Catholic churches.  The complete fourteen events can be seen by clicking the following link:  

Stations of the Cross

Saint Martin's at Billimun

Saint Martin's stands on a low rise in the open prairie at Billimun, Saskatchewan.

It is one of the grandest country churches I've seen in the southern end of the province.

A delicately designed wrought iron cross tops the spire...

...whereas the crucifix in the cemetery is relatively simple. 

This is where many of Billimun's pioneers are buried.

The church is an imposing structure in the isolated prairie landscape.

A look inside (from outside).  The practical and austere interior is in high contrast to the gold-finished Russian chandelier hanging from the ceiling. 

The church would easily seat two hundred people.

This stone cairn stands beside the trail to the church.  The plaque reads:

"St. Martin's (Billimun) Roman Catholic Church

"In 1909 representatives of a group of German-speaking colonists from the Russian Crimea selected the area 8 miles northwest of the present village of Mankota as their future home.  In 1910 the first contingent of settlers arrived, and by the mid 1920's over 80 families had relocated to the settlement from their homeland in Europe.

"The first church was erected in 1914 on land donated by Valentine Deringer.  A second and larger place of worship was built in 1926.  It was destroyed by fire the following year but, undaunted, the residents of the district constructed another church within a year.

"The present church was blessed by Archbishop Mathieu of Regina in July, 1927 and has become, over the years, the most prominent landmark in the district.  In March of 1983 St. Martin's ceased to function as an active church and was designated as a historic site later that same year."

Information courtesy of Saint Martin's and Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed on November 19, 2021.

Sandy Point Bridge

Sandy Point Bridge crosses the South Saskatchewan River near McNeill, Alberta.

Driving across (and through) a steel truss bridge is always somewhat of an "event" that never seems to lose its thrill.  One of those little things that adds some colour to an otherwise ho-hum day, if you know what I mean.   

Photographed along Buffalo Trail (Alberta 41) on February 24, 2022.

Holy Trinity near Pierceland

This is the Romanian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity near Pierceland, Saskatchewan.

It's a simple log building clad with siding built in 1934.  The church and cemetery are bordered on all sides by fully grown trees.  

Less than two hundred feet south of the church is the busy Provincial Trunk Highway (SK-55) but due to the tall shelterbelt of trees the view of the church is mostly obscured.  I'll bet many motorists have passed right by without catching even a glimpse of the church.  Blink...and you'll miss it.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines at sunset.

Photographed near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on January 25, 2022.

Deer on a Hill

Some deer on a hill near Hatfield, Saskatchewan.

As I slowed down they turned to run but once I was stopped they all turned around for a look.

Half a dozen geese can be seen on the right (probably heading out to an open field for breakfast).

Photographed on March 23, 2022.

Saint John near Fidelity

Saint John the Evangelist Ukrainian Catholic Church near Fidelity, Alberta.

The twin cupolas and small central dome are topped with wrought iron crosses.  Another cross stands at the peak above the front entrance.  The building still has its cedar shake roof as well.

A close-up of one of the budded iron crosses.

Looks like a brand new sign by the church.

There is a cemetery bordered by a hedgerow just a few hundred feet west of the church.

Some photos of the church in summer including some interior shots can be seen 

here:  St. John Evangelist Fidelity Ukrainian Catholic Church

Photographed on February 21, 2020.

Fidelity School

A simple marker on the grounds of Fidelity School.  The school was open for forty-two years...a successful run for a pioneer school.

Someone has planted spruce trees on either side of the sign.

Looks like the old school building has been renovated as a community hall.  I was here on a Friday and the parking lot had been recently plowed...there must have been plans for a get-together on the weekend.    

Photographed near Fidelity, Alberta on February 21, 2020.