Saturday, January 27, 2024

A Spiritual Home In A Museum

These are works by the Haida artist Charles Edenshaw, who had a prolific career as an artist over a span of more than sixty years. 


At the end of the 19th century, the Canadian government was busy working to promote the settlement of the vast interior of the West.


Among the many peoples who would shape new lives in the West were Ukrainian immigrants, who took to the soils of the Prairies and established themselves. Here we have St. Onuphrius Church, a Ukrainian Catholic church that was moved to the Museum in 1996, where it remains today. And it remains a consecrated church, with services still held from time to time. It is a treasure.


A video display monitor inside allows the visitor to view several topics. Members of the congregation talking about the church can be seen in these shots.


On the ceiling above, the all seeing eye of God.

34 comments:

  1. You do spend a great deal of time at the Museum. Yes, I have always been impressed by Haida art.

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  2. It’s interesting that you cover both Haida art and the settlement of the west in the same post. The latter of course posed the greatest threat to the Haida and other indigenous people, and a case could be made that it is still true today.

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  3. Beautiful church indeed, and the eye of God, wow.

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  4. I had forgotten about that little church.

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  5. ...I love the simplicity of the Haida art.

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  6. St.Onuphrius Church is very pretty.

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  7. The art is beautiful and I like the pretty church. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  8. A career of sixty years…well done Mr. Edenshaw.

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  9. I always like to see this church in your posts.

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  10. Definitely a spiritual home! As are many of the artifacts of indigenous peoples, speaking of their own beliefs in their spirituality. But this little church is so amazing. I would love to visit it.

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  11. A wonderful place and my most favorite photo is the third one!

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  12. Good that they saved this church in the museum. Many of those beautiful old country churches are gone.

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  13. Wonderful art work by Haida person ~ an awesome chapel/church ~ great post and photos ~ thanks,

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  14. Wonderful to see they saved this church. Many buildings are not saved anymore.

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  15. Love that little church. So glad that it has been saved.

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  16. It's wonderful they saved this church.

    All the best Jan

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  17. I've always admired Ukrainian religious art.

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