Russell Sawchuk: Pioneer Churches Photo Exhibition

JAN 09, 2025 to FEB 22, 2025

Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts presents

Russell Sawchuk
Pioneer Churches Photo Exhibition

An ACUA Signature Artist Series Event

January 9 – February 22, 2025

Opening Reception
Thursday January 9, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.
Live poetry reading from Harvey Spak accompanied by community favourite musicians Marango Pie

Russell Sawchuk’s Pioneer Churches On the Prairies project is dedicated to preserving the memories and images of these pioneer churches. To date 118 places of worship have been documented. The upcoming exhibition Pioneer Churches at ACUA will give viewers a close and personal look at this project on a grand scale, presented by Russell himself.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, many European immigrants made the long and arduous journey to the western Canadian prairies. They came with the promise of 160 acres of homestead land, and the hopes for a better future for themselves and their families.

They also came for freedom – freedom from oppression; freedom from conscription and conflict; freedom to make their own decisions; and freedom to worship as they pleased. In the early years, life for these pioneers was difficult and challenging. They eventually succeeded in establishing themselves in the new land.

An important priority for the pioneers was worship to support their spiritual and religious needs. As a result, thousands of parishes and small churches, of all denominations, were built across the prairies. Money and resources were scarce, but with great determination, sacrifice, and effort, beautiful churches and their associated halls were constructed. Parish life was an integral part of early pioneer days. The church services provided them with spiritual strength to deal with the many challenges and hardships.

After World War II and into the 1950’s, migration and depopulation of the small rural areas began. People moved to the cities to find work. Farms became larger and mechanized, requiring fewer people to operate them. Many smaller communities saw a decline in population. This also affected parish memberships and their sustainability. Now, as we are well into the 21st century, many of the beautiful pioneer churches are inactive and slowly disappearing. There are not enough local members to support or maintain them. The membership that remains, is aged and will be passing on in the next decade or so.