Old prairie Ukrainian churches in ruins. From my photo archives, Oct. 24, 2008.
If I recall, these are all north of Dauphin, Manitoba. I wonder how many of them and their bell towers are still standing 12 years later. I would love to do another road trip around the area some day. . .
From what I could see of the land, this was not a friendly area to farm. Lots of rock piles in the fields, perhaps the immigrants didn’t know what they were getting into back in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Just a hundred miles further west in Saskatchewan the land was much better, from what I’ve seen.
I’m not a very religious person, but I admire these Slavic ancestors who put faith in faith. They pulled together in the harshest conditions and built churches, community halls, schools . . .
Some broke their backs and their hearts, but others prospered, and gave back to their communities.
These photos may seem sad, but I see strength and love in them. And memories eternal. . .
