My friend Alan the over-qualified small town news reporter told me about a tiny, remote church building and gave instructions to its whereabouts. It’s now my favorite church ever. The Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Weldon Association) was originally in Hyde, Saskatchewan, about 5 miles north, in the Qu’Appelle Valley, but had been moved in the early 1900s
Hyde was created by the rumored bastard son of British royalty in the late 1880s. He was sent to Canada to avoid bringing shame to the royal family. He had a steady money supply until his father died. So the bastard sold off all of the assets and buildings of Hyde, including this church. He soon moved away. Which is a shame, because that part of the Valley is amazingly beautiful. It’s where I would have created a town if I was that rich.
For over 100 years, the church sits on the side of a little used grid road northeast of Summerberry, SK. It’s just sitting there. Hidden in some trees. There is a cemetery in the back yard. This is where I learned that the headstones in traditional cemeteries face east, to the sun. Which is odd since the building faces west.
Biking for over 35km that afternoon was tiring, and we had another 12km to go. Then there’s this church. And like all of the empty prairie churches I’ve visited, the doors are open. It might be a little dusty. But it’s inviting. Restful, even.
Once upon a time, I was an ordained minister within a homeless outlet. We ran a food pantry and once a week temporary shelter. When unattended, the church always had its doors locked. They didn’t want their property ransacked, I guess. That was a lifetime ago. I don’t miss it.
I’m glad some church somewhere leaves its doors open.
It’s a beautiful little church. Glad this one hasn’t been destroyed.