A red-winged blackbird and yellow-headed blackbird enjoying a small wetland together near Horsham, Saskatchewan.
Photographed on April 30, 2022.
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Buffalo Beans
This is the first patch of buffalo beans I've seen this spring.
They were blooming along the edge of a country road not far from the South Saskatchewan River valley.
Photographed near Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 7, 2022.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Ozark
A small sign on top of a steel post for Ozark School.
The small print at the bottom of the sign states, "This marker identifies the location of a school built to meet the needs of the community." And I'm sure it did.
Looking pretty rough but still standing.
The top of the bell tower is long gone.
The decorative peak above the doorway adds a little touch of class to an otherwise ordinary building.
The roof has all but surrendered to the elements.
The two small openings at the base of the long wall look like grain auger holes. Must have been used as a granary for a time. Now it's retired.
Photographed near Byemoor, Alberta on September 9, 2021.
Monday, May 09, 2022
Blackbird
A Yellow-Headed Blackbird near Horsham, Saskatchewan. Don't see these very often where I live so it was treat so spot several of them on a recent road trip.
Photographed on April 30, 2022.
Meadowlark
Spring is here! A Western Meadowlark singing its heart out near Horsham, Saskatchewan.
Photographed on April 30, 2022.
Saturday, May 07, 2022
One-Lane Bridge
A one-lane bridge north of Buffalo, Alberta. As you can see, the bridge has a wooden plank deck which makes for a soft ride across to the other side. An added bonus is the clickety-clack sound of the car tires as they pass over the plank joints.
Caution!
The bridge spans the Red Deer River on Alberta Highway 886.
I love these wide-open spaces.
Photographed on April 30, 2022.
Friday, May 06, 2022
John
A grave marker in Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery near Beaver Dale, Saskatchewan.
Birth and death dates are unknown...but he is remembered.
Photographed on July 29, 2021.
Wednesday, May 04, 2022
Just In Passing - Part 2
A continuation of the recently posted "Just in Passing - Part 1." Enjoy!
Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kaleland, Alberta.
Photographed on February 26, 2022.
A beautiful stone church fronted by a wrought iron fence attached to stone pillars. It was built in 1917 of local fieldstone and is complemented by three domes of varied size along the roof peak plus two small cupolas on either side of the front facade. This is the only stone church in the surrounding area.
The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church of Kysylew, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
The two large central domes are a striking feature of this cruciform shaped church constructed in 1950. The drum supporting the dome above the front doors has louvres instead of windows which suggests it may house a bell. Finely-crafted wrought iron crosses are mounted on top of each dome and cupola. This building replaced the original log church that was built in 1902 when it burned down in 1949.
The Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kahwin, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
The first church of the congregation was built here in 1932 but was destroyed by fire the very next year. The second temple, shown here, was completed in 1934. It is one of the very few country churches that use the hand-painted bronze-coloured metal for the dome and cupolas. The combination of the bronze with the blue trim is striking.
Holy Transfiguration Russo Greek Orthodox Church at Northbank-Lobstick, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
A large steel gate sign mounted on stone pillars stands over the entrance to a church of straightforward design built in 1952. For many years previous this was the site of an Anglican church with a cemetery that was used by both Anglican and Métis families, in effect a community cemetery. As the Anglicans moved away and the old church fell into disrepair it was dismantled and years later the windows from that church were used to build Holy Transfiguration Church.
A short distance south is the historic Victoria Trail which runs along the northern bank of the North Saskatchewan River...a scenic drive at any time of the year.
Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church of Boian, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
The church is just visible about mid-centre behind the trees at the top of the hill. I meet someone new every time I stop here. On this occasion I met a member of the church who was taking photos of the church with a drone for the church's website. A sure sign of welcoming is an open gate.
Siracky Chapel near Mundare, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
Wonderful little stone chapel alongside a country road in Lamont County. It was built in 1940 and dedicated the following year to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of Ukrainian pioneers to Canada. Another fifty years later it was rededicated on the one hundredth anniversary. The door is always unlocked.
Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary near Hairy Hill, Alberta.
Photographed on February 26, 2022.
A small country church partially hidden behind a dense caragana hedge. When I talked to the man taking aerial photos at Saint Mary's of Boian he confirmed what I heard months earlier from Father Panciuk...the little church will most likely be dismantled in the near future. See it soon before it becomes just a memory.
Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church near Mundare, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
Not far from Siracky Chapel is this church known as Spas-Moskalyk. It was built in 1924 to replace the original chapel that had burned down. Over time the congregation of this grand church dwindled and the building fell into disuse and disrepair. After many years of neglect a decision was made to restore the church. Within a few years of that decision being made, the building was lifted and moved onto a new foundation directly beside the original location and soon after the move the church was repainted. Now, over the past couple of years work on the church seems to have come to a halt. I don't know the reason for ceasing the work but I sincerely do hope the restoration continues to fruition.
Holy Ascension Russo Orthodox Church of Wasel, AB.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
A weathered church built in 1901. At one time the church served the people living on the many small farms in the area but now all those little farms are gone. I don't believe the church has offered regular services for many, many years but the cemetery is still in use. Yes, the gate here is closed, but I don't see it as a sign of not being welcome, it's something far more practical. It's closed simply to keep out unwanted vehicular traffic. I would imagine the only time the gate is opened now is during a funeral.
All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Bellis, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
The church stands in a large open area on the eastern edge of town. It looks smart in pale-yellow with white trim and charcoal-coloured roof. The grounds and buildings are always nicely maintained. Looks like the perfect spot for a summer picnic or a wedding.
Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Stry, Alberta.
Photographed on February 26, 2022.
Four cupolas and a large central dome grace this church that stands only about a hundred feet off the main road. It doesn't appear to be used during the winter but is possibly host to an annual celebration or two in the summer months.
Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Cemetery at Dickie Bush, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
The cemetery was established in 1906 and sits on a hillside offering a spectacular view towards the south and west. A vast array of headstones new and old are gathered around a mountain ash tree that provides food for birds spending the winter as well as those returning in the spring
Somewhere in my research I found a reflection from a parishioner: "God lives at Dickie Bush."
Hope you enjoyed the tour.
Information courtesy of:
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Lamont County Self-Guided Church Tour
Historical Driving Tour - Ukrainian Churches in East Central Alberta
Canada's Historic Places / Hermis / Alberta Register of Historic Places
Monday, May 02, 2022
Just In Passing - Part 1
This is something of an "end of winter" post.
I spent the last week of February 2022 in and around Vegreville, Alberta in hopes of photographing some of the many churches in the area. The weather was reasonably nice, not too cold and not much wind, the roads were in generally good condition and at the end of each day I looked forward to having supper and visiting with my big sister.
There was one thing that got in the way though: deep snow. A few years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about traipsing through the knee deep, or even waist deep, snow covering the churchyards and cemeteries I wanted to see more closely but now I simply don't have the energy for that anymore. So, once I started acting my age everything fell into place as a Plan B was hatched; the places that didn't have too much snow cover I could still walk into but those buried in snow I would just photograph from the roadside or, in some instances, through the open window of the car...these photos are merely glimpses taken "just in passing."
Pictured above is:
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Glendon, Alberta.
Photographed on February 25, 2022.
The church has been fully restored and renovated in recent years. They did a beautiful job and paid great attention to detail...practically looks like new. Even the big onion dome and cupolas look renewed...bright and shiny in the afternoon light.
Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension of Ispas, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
A very well kept country church with a very small dome and two tiny cupolas. The old-fashioned fixed-knot wire fencing just adds to the charm. As far as I know the church and cemetery are still in use. Also, I have it on good authority that the ceiling inside the church is painted with angels accompanied by a dove.
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Desjarlais, Alberta.
Photographed on February 26, 2022.
The Temple of Saint Nicholas was completed in 1918...the rocks for the foundation along with the cut and squared logs to construct the building had been hauled in on wagons pulled by horses...the women had prepared meals for the builders, spun yarn and embroidered the tapestries that would adorn the interior of their dedicated place of worship.
A unique aspect of the church was that is served three different national groups: Russo Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox, and services were conducted in any or all of those languages...truly a tolerant community.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary of Sich-Kolomea, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
A stately yellow church with reddish-brown trim that still boasts a cedar-shake roof. It was built in 1926 on a small plot of land about half a mile south of the cemetery and is now enclosed by mature trees on all sides. The church served the community for many decades and I'd be surprised if there wasn't a special service every so often. Overall, the church is an excellent example of a western Canadian interpretation of Byzantine style architecture.
Saint James Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church near Mundare, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
Just a short drive from Mundare is this small church with two very large domes. When I stopped here a few winters ago there was a young couple clearing away the snow so the parishioners would have a place to park their cars when they came out for the Christmas service on the 7th of January.
The church was built in 1904 and moved to its present location in 1942 at which time it was completely renovated with the addition of pews, electricity and a forced-air furnace. The church has been in continuous use since it was built.
Saint Mary's Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Shandro, Alberta.
Photographed on February 26, 2022.
I love the large ornate gate sign that serves as the formal entrance to the churchyard...it also nicely frames the exceptionally tall church which is set back about three hundred feet from the road. One very unique architectural characteristic of the church is that the central dome is mounted on a sixteen sided drum (whereas most domes are mounted on an octagonal drum).
Russo Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist at Farusy, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
A view of the church, across the cemetery, and through the trees. Romanians and Ukrainians banded together to build the church which was completed in 1907. George Ropchan, who passed away at the age of one hundred and eight in 1987, is one amongst the over two hundred buried in the cemetery.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Sunland, Alberta.
Photographed on February 27, 2022.
The temple has delicately designed cupolas and dome, each mounted on exquisitely crafted octaganal drums with the central dome given the added decorative element of small round openings around the base...all that together with the rik-rak detail around the rooflines makes this a rare treat.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Of Holy Ascension at Pruth, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
Four cupolas and a central dome adorn this country church. The electric blue metal roof is a standout and the paler blue Orthodox cross and framed doorway bring a little heaven down to earth. The associated cemetery is just down the road.
Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Peno, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
Doesn't look like a Ukrainian Orthodox church, does it? Well, that's because it used to be a United church. The Orthodox cross mounted on top of the steeple is the only exterior feature distinguishing it as the former. The fanlight window above the doors and narrow arched windows on either side add some character.
Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church at Smoky Lake, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
Although the original church built here in 1909 burned to the ground nineteen years later in 1928, no time was lost and construction of a new place of worship began. The stately building you see here was completed within the year.
Now, moving ahead to more recent times, it was discovered the foundation of the church was deteriorating so, in 2016 the entire church was lifted and moved back while the old foundation was removed and a new one built. The church was then moved ahead and lowered onto the new foundation and, best of all, suffered practically no damage during the entire process.
Holy Trinity Cemetery of Toporoutz at Smoky Lake, Alberta.
Photographed on February 28, 2022.
This cemetery is located beside Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church shown above. It is believed to be the largest Orthodox cemetery in all of Canada. Whenever I'm in Smoky Lake County I like to stop in to enjoy, even if only for a few minutes, the peace and stillness provided here.
More to see..."Just In Passing - Part 2" will be posted in a couple of days.
Information courtesy of:
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Lamont County Self-Guided Church Tour
Historical Driving Tour - Ukrainian Churches in East Central Alberta
Canada's Historic Places / Hermis / Alberta Register of Historic Places