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.

Elevator at Duval

A grain elevator on the outskirts of Duval, Saskatchewan.

The mustard yellow dust controllers and lettering stand out in high contrast with the rich red of the elevator and annexes.

A truck was unloading grain while I snapped a few shots.  Good to see it's still in use.

Photographed on March 23, 2022. 

Walter

Walter the whooping crane is town mascot in the Village of Govan, Saskatchewan. 

The fibreglass and steel structure is dedicated to the Last Mountain Wildlife Area located about fifteen miles northwest of town at the northern end of Last Mountain Lake.  This wildlife area was established in 1882 and is the oldest bird sanctuary in North America.

At the time "Walter" was unveiled in 1987 there were only 137 whooping cranes in existence.  Current statistics estimate there are now 506 left in the wild with another 79 in captivity.  They are doing a little better now thanks to protected wildlife sanctuaries. 

Growing up in southeastern Saskatchewan in the 1950's and '60's I can remember seeing them flying over the farm in spring on their way to Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and then again in fall on their way back to the County of Aransas in Texas.  Now that I live in southeastern Alberta, I miss seeing these graceful fliers on their migration route.

Information courtesy of Parks Canada and the Village of Govan.

Photographed on March 23, 2022.

Wiwa Creek Farms

An impressive gate sign near Rush Lake, Saskatchewan.

Another one of those "I'll stop next time" moments.

Photographed on March 25, 2022.