History of Thorhild County Tour returns

By Brandie Majeau

This June, prepare for an incredible journey through Thorhild County’s fascinating

history. The annual History of Thorhild County Tour will take visitors on a fascinating

exploration of the area’s rich past. They will have the opportunity to visit historical sites

such as the 1929 Krause Milling Company Grain Elevator, St. George’s Cemetery, and

the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church, also known as Sandhills Church.

The Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church holds significant historical value and has

been recognized as a Registered Historic Site since 2004 and a Municipal Historic

Resource since 2015. Its architectural design is a testament to the Byzantine tradition,

carefully crafted to suit the religious practices of a prairie community. When visitors step

into this church, they discover carefully crafted designs that enrich the senses and

elevates a spiritual awareness. The church design features two corner structures

resembling the corner towers of ancient Byzantine Basilicas in Europe, each crowned

with an octagonal drum and a small dome supporting a wrought-iron Roman Cross. The

interior painting, a masterpiece by Walter Paschak from Winnipeg, is a true gem that

took six months to complete.

The “Sandhills Church” stands as a physical representation of Ukrainian cultural and

religious traditions, nestled amidst a landscape of sandy knolls. In the early 1900s, the

area opened up to Ukrainian homesteaders following the extension of the Alberta &

Great Waterways Railroad. These resilient settlers arrived with little material wealth but

carried an abundance of hope, faith, and a rich cultural heritage. In 1913, Father Basil

Ladyka made history by conducting an open-air mass on the 10-acre site, generously

provided by local homesteader Michael Horbach. This church stands as a testament to

the enduring faith and dedication of the early Ukrainian settlers in this region.

Beyond its architectural and artistic significance, the church also has deep-rooted

connections to the surrounding rural area. The current church was built on the original

location of the first church, which was relocated in 1939 to make way for the new

construction. Even after its relocation, the original church continued to serve the

community as a food preparation area until 1966 when it was sold, moved off the land,

and eventually destroyed by fire. The only surviving item from the original church is the

original cross forged by Kazimir Olchowy. The church’s location has been a welcoming

place for the community for over a century and is still actively maintained by a devoted

congregation.

The History of Thorhild County is a thoroughly engaging tour that takes participants on a

captivating journey through true historic stories. The tour offers a fascinating glimpse

into the past, with Sandhills Church serving as just one of the many intriguing pieces in

the county’s rich tapestry of history. It’s a truly immersive experience that reveals the

hidden gems of the county’s captivating past.