Past Presence

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Little Church near Big Meadow

Almost a year ago I was on a road trip that took me to the Bonnyville, Alberta area for a few days. There was lots of snow but the roads were in good shape and on most days the temperature hovered around 0°C...my kind of winter.

Along the way I had the pleasure to visit this little country church, known to the locals as the Lessard Historic Church. It's obviously cared for but unfortunately I could find no information about it.

Nevertheless, I did get some nice photos of the church and cemetery in a winter setting.

The official name of the church is Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is located north of Big Meadow, Alberta.

About four months later I stopped by for a revisit when the grass was green. Those pictures will be posted tomorrow.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Grain Elevator at Elk Point

I have a penchant for these former Pool elevators that were painted green...they blend in seamlessly with the prairie landscape. This one is particularly attractive (and large).

Photographed on June 24, 2022.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

The Bridge near Scotsguard

About five years ago it looked like this (click the following link): Six Arches

Not much has changed, and in my book, that's a good thing.

I occasionally hear reports of historic structures being dismantled or burned down for one reason or another. Sadly and most recently, Cottonwood School near Pense, Saskatchewan was indeed burned to the ground. Well, I don't think anyone with that intent would have much luck with this sturdy old bridge...it and the many old bowstring bridges like it were built to last. But, indestructible as it looks, the probable reason it's still standing is that it would simply be too expensive to knock down and then clean up the mess. I guess that means a "thank you" to the bean-counters is in order (never thought I'd say that!).

So, chances are, this old bridge and others like it still have many happy decades ahead of them...and that's also a good thing. Enjoy these pieces of the past while you can.

Photographed near Scotsguard, Saskatchewan on May 11, 2022.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Near Kaleida

The beautiful windows inside Saint Mary's Saint Alban's Anglican Church near Kaleida, Manitoba.

Photographed on August 17, 2022.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Good Morning

Nothing says "Good Morning" like a field of sunflowers in full bloom.

Photographed south of Holland, Manitoba on August 20, 2022.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Nice Day for a Swim...

...if you're a beaver.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on January 11, 2023.

Saturday, January 07, 2023

"Щасливого Різдва!"

"Merry Christmas!"

If you're familiar with the Julian calendar you'll know that today is Christmas Day.

The old bell house comes home...

The original Saint Elias Church was completed in 1904 with the interior being painted and decorated the following year. In 1906 the bell house you see in the photos here was built and fitted with two bells.

In 1954, only six years after being completely renovated, the church caught fire on Christmas Day. Although the church couldn't be saved, many of the contents were rescued from the flames. The cause of the fire was never established but plans to build a new church were immediately undertaken and by that summer building was well underway.

During construction of the new temple it was also decided to build a new bell house. The original bell house, sans bells, was in time donated to the Shandro Museum where it stood untouched for well over six decades. I don't know the specifics but somewhere along the line the museum closed and all of the historic buildings on the grounds, including the old bell house, were left to languish.

Then someone at the church had a great idea...let's bring the old bell tower home! And that's exactly what happened. The newer bell house was dismantled, a new concrete pad was poured for the return of the old bell house and by late 2021 the old bell house was back home...complete with red bows for Christmas. Enjoy!

Historical information courtesy of the Canadian Orthodox History Project with a special thanks to Ron Rosychuk.

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church and bell house were photographed near Pakan, Alberta on February 28, 2022.