Cossack School Sign

A handmade sign at the site of a one-room schoolhouse that opened in 1931.

The following is a direct quote regarding Cossack School from the book "Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk" by William Peter Baergen:

"Opened in January 1931 by Annie Sawchuk

(Antoniuk), who taught at this school from 1931

to 1937. There were 17 students from Grade 1–7.

By the spring, enrolment had increased to 24.

She lived alone in a 10’ x 12’ shack, which

caused her to become very lonely, to the point

of sickness. She visited each family on foot.

Closed in 1952."

The sign bears the names of Cossack's students, but not that of the teacher.

Photographed north of Smoky Lake, Alberta on September 20, 2021.

Lesje Church

A cold winter's day in North Dakota.  It was a few hours on the road before I reached my first planned destination of the day: Lesje Church.  I wasn't sure what to expect but was astounded by the size and overall beauty of this country church and cemetery in the proverbial "middle of nowhere."

Lesje Church could easily seat a few hundred parishioners...large and handsome with a welcome that is embracing.  

It reminded me somewhat of the church I went to as a child though on a much grander scale.  As a youngster I went to the Swedish Baptist Church in Midale, Saskatchewan where, by my early teens, had decided the motto of the church was: "you can do anything you want...as long as it's not any fun."  And so, being a teenager, I had my own ideas about things.  But you know, through all that teenage angst I never lost respect for those who felt close to the church and always wished them well and maintained a number of good friendships with both young and old parishioners.   

Several stained glass windows decorate the walls, entryway and transoms...all of which are well conceived and designed for the church.  The old-fashioned altar is beautiful and the spaciousness is grand to say the least.  

Lesje Church was built over a century ago and I can't imagine how these Norwegian settlers managed to build and decorate such a splendid country church.  But they did, and the church and grounds are still well kept and inviting to strangers like me who pass by on a cold winter's day. 

Photographed near Roth, North Dakota on December 15, 2018.

"Ghost Church"

Rudser Lutheran Church stands like a "ghost church" on a country road in northwestern North Dakota.  At one time the centre of activity for miles around...now all covered in white and home only to ghosts of the past.

Still a lovely place...obviously well respected and well kept.  Bless those who take care of our history.

Can't believe it's been over five years since my visit.  What I remember is the beautiful fall weather and that it simply felt great to be out on the road.  Happy trails to you!

Photographed near Zahl, North Dakota on October 28, 2017.

Abandoned House near Wasel

Must have been a pretty nice house back in the day.

Photographed near Wasel, Alberta on September 19, 2021.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

A lovely Sunday morning at Negrych Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery.

Every once in a while a place evokes forgotten memories, déjà vu or some fleeting emotion that's simply difficult to describe.  My short visit here was all that...wrapped up like a present for a truly wonderful experience.  It's one of those things that I will not soon forget.

It's good to slow down every now and then to enjoy those special moments...whatever they may be.     

Photographed near Venlaw, Manitoba on my birthday in 2022.

Hague Water Tower

The handsome CNR water tower in Hague, Saskatchewan.

I'd stopped to see the water tower the previous summer but since I was in the area again a return visit was in order.  It's still in beautiful condition...and also learned that the tower is used as a symbol in the town logo.

Photographed on October 9, 2022.

Driving Miss Daisy

I had the pleasure of Miss Daisy's company this past Sunday.

It was a warm day so she had her window wide open for the whole trip.  

We usually end up at Hillside cemetery where we can drive slowly down the narrow lanes...she has lots to sniff and I don't have to deal with traffic.  Can't beat that for a Sunday drive.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on February 12, 2023.

Містер і Mісіс Сул

Містер і Mісіс Сул.

Mister and Missus Sul.

John and Mary together for all time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photographed at the Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery of Saints Peter and Paul near Sunville, Manitoba on August 19, 2022.

Great News!

Some great news to share.  

My dear friend David Carter arranged for a meeting with the archivist at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre here in Medicine Hat, Alberta today.  We soon established a mutual understanding that the preservation of our heritage was vastly important.

In brief...the photos I've taken covering much of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba along with isolated areas of North Dakota and Montana will now be preserved in perpetuity in the archives of the Esplanade.  Everyone with an interest in our history will have access to the photos of the historic sites I've had the pleasure to experience first hand.  

And what better way to celebrate than with photos of the Congregational Church at Gros Ventre-Tothill...

...and Daisy!

It's been a wondrous day of gratitude and appreciation that works both ways, and all around.  I'm feeling somewhat blessed at the moment so excuse me for blushing.  I believe a glass of champagne is in order.

Daisy at the Congregational Church was photographed near Gros Ventre-Tothill, Alberta on October 2, 2022.  

Дванадцять хрестів

Дванадцять хрестів

Twelve crosses

A small selection of handcrafted wrought iron crosses that grace the domes and cupolas of both large and small Ukrainian churches in the beautiful province of Manitoba.  Enjoy!

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1900/1921)

Venlaw, Manitoba

July 24, 2022

Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1900/1921)

Venlaw, Manitoba

July 24, 2022

Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (1904/1933)

Ozerna, Manitoba

July 25, 2022

Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ascension (1911)

Ruthenia, Manitoba

July 26, 2022

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (1904)

Rossburn Farms, Manitoba

July 26, 2022

Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church (1918)

Glenhope, Manitoba

August 19, 2022

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1940)

Sundown, Manitoba

August 21, 2022

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church (1908)

Sirko, Manitoba

August 21, 2022

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church (1898)

Stuartburn, Manitoba

August 22, 2022

Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church (1924)

Rosa, Manitoba

August 22, 2022

Anyone interested in the symbolism of the crosses may find the above collection thought-provoking as well as a little bit puzzling.  My overall view is not so much an explanation as it is an understanding.

From what I've read the crescent moon motif was introduced after the seventeenth century in Ukraine to commemorate the triumph of the Christian faith over Islam.  When Ukrainian settlers immigrated to Canada the crescent moon was kept as an ornamental element on the wrought iron crosses that decorated the domes and cupolas of their churches.

During the early days of immigration it seems that at times both Catholic and Orthodox churches used the crescent moon at the base of their crosses and both faiths used the trefoil (three-barred) cross and the Latin (crucifix) cross. 

  

As is was, there were no "set rules" so the artists who designed and sculpted these attractive wrought iron crosses had a creative hand in expressing their native heritage and displayed it proudly on the churches they built in their new homeland.

Thanks to Crosses of East Slavic Christianity among Ukrainians in Western Canada by A. M. Kostecki.