Roadside Chapel near Rosthern
Roadside Chapel near Rosthern.
COMMENT
Pioneer Faith
Why did the pioneers endure so well? Raw courage had a lot to do with it. For many there was no turning back, anyway. For most, long-term hope overcame short-term despair. And for the vast majority there was faith.
Demonstration of the “faith of our fathers” is all around us. Many pioneer religious edifices are still in use tcday. Succeeding generations have carried on the convictions of the pioneer congregations.
However, our religious legacies are not entirely in the forms of structures and organizations. Many of them are, simply, in the temples that are the minds and hearts of men and women, now to the several generations of Canadians.
Some have tastefully combined personal and visual demonstrations of their faith. Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society’s 1981 fall tour group discovered one such site—a small chapel—just off Highway 312 between the South Saskatchewan River and Rosthem. It is a tiny white concrete building with a cross on top. Inside is a statue of the Madonna, artificial flowers and a guest book. The yard surrounding the building is fenced and well maintained.
At the time of the tour we had only vague information about it—and referred to it as the ‘ ‘mystery shrine” —but have since had our enquiries answered by Mrs. Anna Postey of Rosthem, whose letter we will now share with all of our readers:
“I found your note the same day you signed the guest book, as that afternoon we had a service of prayers there. It was very nice of you to visit there. I will write you a story about it.
/ “My husband’s father came to Canada in 1897 with his wife and four small children. They bought this first farm as a homestead and worked very hard. After [some] years he decided to build a chapel as something by which to remember his first homestead in Canada. It was built in 1930. Then, all the summers after that he would visit there and read good books.
“When he was quite old he transferred the homestead to my husband, John, as we lived in one yard. He [the elder Mr. Postey] died in 1952 at the age of 100 years. Then, we took the farm and looked after the chapel up to 1977. When my husband died of a heart attack this homestead was transferred to me.
“l am 75 years of age. I still drive the car and go to clean the chapel at least once a week in summer, and just before the snow comes. In winter, I can’t go there. In summer I go to clean quite often as so many people visit there, not only from Saskatchewan, but other provinces, as well. I live in Rosthem, eight miles from the little chapeL\
“It was very nice that your group signed the guest book. That day [Sept. 20] more than 50 people signed.
“May God bless all those who visit there. May the good Lord take care of you wherever you go or whatever you do. God bless you all.
“—Mrs. Anna Postey, Rosthern, Sask. SOK3RO”
Albertown - Ss. Peter and Paul
Albertown Church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1927 near Hafford; R.M. 435.
Alticane - St.John the Baptist
Alticane Church of St. John the Baptist constructed 1939, 5 miles west and 16 miles north of Hafford; R.M. 466.
Alvena
Alvena Farms - Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. 4 miles north-west of Alvena; R.M. 402.
Antonivka - Assumption of the BVM
Antonivka Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1906, 6 miles north ofCanora; R.M. 304.
Arran
Church of St. John the Baptist constructed 1925 in northerly Arran; R.M. 301.
Arran-Vesna church of Ss. Peter and Paul constructed 1961 near Arran; R.M. 301.
Balcarres - Holy Eucharist (closed)
Bankend - Ascension of Our Lord
Bobulynci - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Bobulynci Church of the Transfiguration constructed 1931, 20 miles north of Wadena; R.M. 367.
Beaver Dale - Assumption of the BVM
Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1950-1953, 4 miles south of Jedburgh; R.M. 245.
Beckenham -Transfiguration of Our Lord
Beckenham church of the Transfiguration constructed 1940-1944, 9 miles north-west of Parkerview; R.M. 246.
Bedfordville - St. Nicholas
Stanyslavtsi church of St. Nicholas constructed 1951, 10 miles south-west of Ituna; R.M. 246.
Bienfait - Ss. Peter and Paul
SS. Peter and Paul church acquired and reconstructed 1958-1962 in central Bienfait; R.M. 4.
Biggar - Sacred Heart (closed)
Biggar church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1952-1971; R.M. 347.
Birmingham - St. Paraskevia
Church of St. Paraskevia constructed 1910, 'A miles south-west of Birmingham; R.M.215.
Blaine Lake - Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Blaine Lake acquired in 1947; R.M. 434.
Bodnari - Ss. Peter and Paul
Bodnari church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1936, 7 miles north-east of Vonda; R.M. 372.
Borshchiv - Ss. Peter and Paul
Borshchiv church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1947, 8'A miles south of Prud'homme; R.M. 372.
Broadview - Assumption of the BVM
BROADVIEW — The church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first church of the parish.
Brooksby - St. Nicholas
Church of St. Nicholas constructed 1912 near Brooksby; R.M. 458.
Bruno - Assumption of the BVM
Bruno church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1970-1971; R.M. 370.
Buchanan - Holy Ghost
Church of the Descent of the Holy Ghost constructed 1957-1958 in north-easterly Buchanan; R.M. 304.
Calder - Assumption of the BVM
Candiac - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Church of the Descent of the Holy Ghost constructed 1913, 3-1/2 miles south of Candiac; R.M. 126.
Canora - Saints Peter and Paul
Church of the Holy Apostle SS. Peter and Paul in Canora constructed 1960-1964.
Carpenter - Ascension of Our Lord
Carpenter-Hory Church of the Ascension constructed 1904, 4 miles east of Carpenter; R.M. 402.
Cecil - Holy Trinity
Church of the Holy Trinity constructed 1945-1946, 9 miles east of Prince Albert; R.M. 461.
Chaplin-Thunder Creek - Saints Peter and Paul
Church of Ss. Peter and Paul constructed 1943-1944, 10 miles north-east of Chaplin; R.M. 194.
Chekhiv - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Chekhiv church of the Holy Ghost constructed 1906, 6 miles south-west of Preeceville; R.M. 334.
Dana - St. John the Baptist
Dana church of St. John the Baptist constructed 1945; R.M. 371.
Dnipro -Transfiguration of Our Lord
Church of the Transfiguration constructed 1931, 9 miles north of Rhein. R.M. 273.
Dysart - Holy Eucharist
Dysart church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1957; R.M. 217.
Estevan - Assumption of the BVM
Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. acquired 1960, located in south-easterly Estevan; R.M. 5.
Fenwood - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of Ss. Peter and Paul constructed 1937, 3'/2 miles south-west of Fenwood; R.M. 215.
Foam Lake - Holy Eucharist
Church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1964-1965 in central Foam Lake; R.M. 276.
Fosston - St. John the Baptist
Church of St. John the Baptist constructed 1937 in south-westerly Fosston; R.M. 367.
Glen Elder - Danbury - Holy Eucharist
GLEN ELDER — The church of the Holy Eucharist is the first church of the parish.
Glentworth - Assumption of the BVM
Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1926, 4'/i miles north of Glentworth; R.M.44.
Goodeve
Goodeve Farms - Church of the Holy Trinity constructed 1940, 8 miles north of Goodeve; R.M. 245.
Goodeve Town - Church of St. Michael the Archangel constructed 1934 in north-easterly Goodeve; R.M. 215.
Grenfell - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1923 in north-easterly Grenfell; R.M. 155.
Gronlid - St. Michael
Church of St. Michael constructed 1949-1951 near Gronlid; R.M. 458.
Guernsey - Holy Eucharist
Guernsey church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1925, closed 1974; R.M. 310.
Hafford - Holy Eucharist
Church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1917 in easterly Hafford; R.M. 435.
Havryliuke - Sacred Heart
Havryliuky church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1928, 6 miles south-east of Prud'homme; R.M. 372.
Hazel Dell - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of the Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1944-1948 in Hazel Dell; R.M. 335.
High Tor - Sacred Heart
High Tor church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1936, 18 miles south ot Porcupine Plain; R.M. 366.
Hodgeville - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1964-1969, 12 miles south-east of Hodgeville; R.M. 105.
Holar - St. Demetrius
Holar church of St. Demetrius constructed 1952, 22 miles south-east of Wynyard; R.M. 277.
Hryhoriv - St. Demetrius
Hryhoriv church of St. Demetrius constructed 1932, 10 miles south-west of Preeceville; R.M. 334.
Hubbard
Church of the Holy Spirit constructed 1910, 4 miles north-east of Hubbard; R.M. 246.
Hubbard church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross constructed 1953-1955; R.M. 216.
Hudson Bay - Holy Eucharist
Church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1966-1967 in southerly Hudson Bay; R.M. 944.
Humboldt- All Saints
Humboldt church of All Saints constructed 1950; R.M. 370.
Hyas Village - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit constructed 1954 in southerly Hyas; R.M. 303.
Insinger Farms - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of Ss. Peter and Paul constructed 1910-1913, 5 miles north of Insinger; R.M. 275.
Ituna - Sacred Heart
Church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1963 in north-westerly Ituna; R.M. 246.
Jaroslaw - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jaroslaw church of the Nativity of the B.V.M. constructed 1903. 9 mile.s .south-west of Yorkton; R.M. 244.
Jasmin-Doroshi - Immaculate Conception
Church of the Immaculate Conception constructed 1950, 10 miles north-west of Ituna; R.M. 246.
Jasmin - Ss. Peter and Paul
JASMIN — The church of SS. Peter and Paul is the first church of the parish.
Jedburgh Village - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of the Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1948 in Jedburgh; R.M. 245.
Kamsack - St.Josaphat
Church of St. Josaphat the Martyr constructed 1947 in central Kamsack; R.M. 271.
Kelliher - St.Volodymr
St. Vladimir church in northerly Kelliher constructed 1967; R.M. 247.
Kindersley - St.John the Baptist
Church of St. John the Baptist constructed 1944, 10 miles south and 3 miles west of Kindersley; R.M. 290.
Kipling - Presentation of the BVM (closed)
Church of the Presentation of the B.V.M. constructed in Kipling in 1916; R.M. 124.
Kovalivka-Tiny - Transfiguartion of our Lord
Kovalivka church of the Transfiguration constructed 1933, 3'/2 miles north of Tiny; R.M. 304.
Krasne - St. John the Apostle
Krasne church of St. John the Theologian constructed 1940-1941, 14 miles south of Wynyard; R.M. 30X.
Krydor - Sacred Heart
Church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1947-1948 in Krydor; R.M.435.
Kulykiv - Holy Eucharist (closed)
Kulykiv church of the Holy Eurcharist constructed 1932-1935, 7'/4 miles north of Invermay; R.M. 305.
Kuroki - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of the Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1952 in westerly Kuroki; R.M. 336.
Kyziv-Tiaziv - St. Demetrius
Tiaziv church of St. Demetrius constructed 1928, 8 miles south of Rama; R.M. 305.
Macdowall - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed)
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit constructed 1946-1947 at MacDowall; R.M. 463.
Major - Patronage of the BVM (closed)
Major church of the Patronage of the B.V.M. acquired 1958; R.M. 321.
Mamornitz - Virgin of Sorrows Ruthenian Church
Maybridge - St. Nicholas
Maybridge church of St. Nicholas constructed 1944, 9 miles north-west ofArran; R.M. 331.
Meacham - Ascension
Meacham church of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ constructed 1952; R.M. 342.
Meadow Lake - St. Catherine (closed)
Church of St. Catherine constructed 1957-1958 in south-easterly Meadow Lake; P.M. 980.
Meath Park - Assumption of the BVM (closed)
Meath Park church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1958-1959; R.M.490.
Melfort - Holy Spirit
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit constructed 1954 in south-easterly Melfort; R.M. 428.
Melville - St.George's
The Church of St. George the Martyr constructed 1939 in easterly Melville; P.M. 214.
Model Farm - Patronage of the BVM
Model Farm church of the Patronage of the B.V.M. constructed 1933, '/z mile east of West Bend; R.M. 276.
Montmartre - Ss. Peter and Paul
The Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul church in Montmartre constructed 1950-1952 on Hwy. 16; R.M. 126.
Moose Jaw - Dormition of the BVM
Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1964-1965 in Moose Jaw; R.M. 161.
North Battleford - All Saints
All Saints church constructed 1949-1953 at 920-l08th St., North Battleford.
Nora - Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (closed)
Olesha - Sacred Heart of Jesus
Olesha Church of the Sacred heart constructed 1924, 8 miles north of Buchanan; R,M.304.
Ormside-Ss. Vladimir and Olga (closed)
Church of Ss. Vladimir and Olga constructed 1944, 18 miles north-east of Preeceville; R.M. 334.
Orlow - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Orlow church of the Holy Spirit constructed 1910, 12 miles south of Krydor; R.M. 435.
Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Church of St. Demetrius constructed 1948 and relocated 1964 at the Shrine of Sorrow Site near Cudworth.
Parkerview - St. Nicholas
Parkerview church of St. Nicholas constructed 1944; R.M. 245.
Pelly-Holy Eucharist
Church of the Holy Eucharist constructed 1948 in westerly Pelly; R.M. 301.
Peterson - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed)
Peterson church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit constructed 1926; R.M. 371.
Plain View - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit constructed 1934 in Plain View; R.M. 215.
Podillia - Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery - (No Church-closed)
Podillia - Ss.Peter and Paul Cemetery - No Church (closed)
Ponass Lake - St. Michael the Archangel
Church of St. Michael the Archangel constructed 1910-1911, 12 miles west and 10 miles north of Wadena; R.M. 367.
Porcupine Plain - Ss. Peter and Paul
Church of the Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1970-1973 in Porcupine Plain; R.M. 395.
Prince Albert - St. George
St. George's church in westerly Prince Albert constructed 1957-1960.
Preeceville - Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Preeceville church of the Transfiguration constructed 1940; R.M. 334.
Rama - Saints Peter and Paul
Church of SS. Peter and Paul constructed 1936-1939 in northerly Rama on Hwy. 5; R.M. 305.
Prud'homme - St. John the Theologian
Church of St. John the Theologian constructed 1945 in north-westerly Prud'homme; R.M. 372.
Regina
Church of St. Basil the Great constructed 1959-1960 at 1747 Toronto St., Regina.
St. Athanasius the Great church and parish center project in Regina.
Rose Valley - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rose Valley church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1958-1960 on Hwy. 35; R.M. 367.
Rosthern
Runnymede - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
RUNNYMEDE — The church of SS. Vladimir and Olga was the first church of the paris.
Radisson - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Radisson Church of the Patronage of the B.V.M. constructed 1955-1956; R.M. 405.
Buchach - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed)
Buchach church of the Patronage of the B.V.M. constructed 1913, 4 miles south-west of Hazel Dell; R.M. 335.
List of Parishes
Albertown - Ss. Peter and Paul
Alticane - St. John the Baptist
Alvena Farms - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Alvena Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Antonivka - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Arran-Vesna -Ss. Peter and Paul
Balcarres - Holy Eucharist (closed)
Bankend - Ascension of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Beaver Dale - Assumption of the BVM
Beckenham -Transfiguration of Our Lord
Bienfait - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed)
Biggar - Sacred Heart (closed)
Birmingham - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Blaine Lake - Our Lady of Perpetual Help (closed)
Bobulynci - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Borshchiv - Ss. Peter and Paul
Broadview - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Bruno - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Buchach - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Buchanan - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Calder - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Candiac - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Carpenter - Ascension of Our Lord
Cecil - Holy Trinity (closed-no church)
Chaplin-Thunder Creek - Ss. Peter and Paul
Chekhiv - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Cudworth Farms -Transfiguration of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Cudworth - Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Cudworth Town - Holy Eucharist
Dana - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Dobrowody - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dnipro (Dnieper) - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Dysart - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Erwood - Blessed Virgin Mary of Succour (closed-no church)
Estevan - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed & sold)
Fosston - St. John the Baptist (closed-no church)
Glen Elder - Danbury - Holy Eucharist
Glentworth - Assumption of the
Goodeve Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Guernsey - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Havryliuke (Prud'homme) - Sacred Heart
Hazel Dell - Ss. Peter and Paul
Hodgeville - Ss. Peter and Paul
Holar (Elfros) - St. Demetrius
Hubbard - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Closed
Hudson Bay - Holy Eucharist (closed & sold)
Hyas Village - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Insinger Farms - Ss. Peter and Paul
Invermay - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Janow Corners-Meath Park - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jaroslaw - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Jasmin-Doroshi - Immaculate Conception (closed-no church)
Jasmin - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Jedburgh Village - Ss. Peter and Paul
Kelliher - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Closed
Kelliher - St.Vladimir the Great - Closed
Kindersley - St.John the Baptist (Closed-No Church)
Kipling - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Kovalivka-Tiny - Transfigurartion of our Lord
Krasne - St. John Apostle the Theologian
Kulykiv - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Laniwci - St. Volodomyr (2016) - Ascension of our Lord
Lipton-Herzel - Dormition of Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
MacDowall - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Madge Lake (Pelly) St. Michael Camp - Holy Eucharist Church (from Pelly)
Major - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Mamornitz - Virgin of Sorrows Ruthenian Church
Meadow Lake - St. Catherine (closed & sold)
Melfort - Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) [Decommisioned]
Melville - St.George the Martyr
Model Farm - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Montmartre - Ss. Peter and Paul
Moose Jaw - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nipawin Farms/Silver Pine - Ascension
Nora - Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (closed-no church)
Norquay Farms - Holy Trinity (closed - no church)
Olesha - Sacred Heart of Jesus
Orolow - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Parkerview - St. Nicholas - Closed
Pelly-Holy Eucharist (closed - church moved to Madge Lake, St. Michael's Camp)
Peterson - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed - sold)
Plain View - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Ponass Lake - St. Michael the Archangel
Porcupine Plain - Ss. Peter and Pau (closed & sold)
Preeceville - Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Prud'homme - St. John the Theologian
Radisson - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rose Valley - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Rosthern Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed)
Rosthern Farms-Adamivka - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Runnymede - Ss. Vladimir and Olga (closed-no church)
Samburg - St. John the Baptist
Saskatoon - Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
Saskatoon - St. Volodymyr Villa Chapel
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Park - Pike Lake - St. Volodymyr Memorial Church
Sheho Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sheho Village - Christ the King
Shipman Rural - Ss. Peter and Paul
Sich-Krydor - St. Michael's (Demolished 2018; Cemetery only)
Smuts/Prymove - St. John the Baptist
St. Julien - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Pokrov)
St. Philip's - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Stenen - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Stornoway Cemetery (closed-no church)
Stove Creek - St. Elias (closed-no church)
Swift Current - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Tadmore - St. John the Baptist
Tuffnell Village - Holy Trinity (Decommissioned)
Tway Farms - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Tway Town - Ss. Peter and Paul
Vasyliw - Ss. Constantine and Helena
Verigin - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Wadena - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Watrous - Holy Mother of God (closed-no church)
Watson - St. George (closed-no church)
Welechko - Presenation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitebeech - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitesand - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitkow - Ascension of Our Lord
Willowbrook - Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wishart Farms - St. Michael the Archangel
Wishart Town - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wolverine - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wroxton-Farms - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Wroxton-Village - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Yellow Creek - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (No church; cemetery only)