 |
| Photo Courtesy of the Sedgewick and Lougheed United Churches |
Merna is an area in Central Alberta, East of Forestburg and South of Sedgewick. I passed this area recently and pulled over to take quick a photo of a quaint looking church and cemetery right beside the highway. I made a mental note to look it up later as it was pouring rain and giant blood thirsty mosquitoes tried to gain access into my car as soon as I opened the windows. I'm not even kidding, they were the biggest mosquitoes I have ever seen. If they were smart enough to organize such a thing, they could've carried my 7 y/o away. Me that's another story, too heavy to be carried away by giant winged things. The moral of the story here is skinny people will be carried away. Go eat carbs, or cake! Also did you know a group of mosquitoes is called a scourge? Fitting.
 |
| Courtesy of Google Street View Aug 2013 |
The research for this one had me a bit puzzled....briefly. I though it was a different church that was also in the area and kept getting confused by a map that showed them in the same general area but the history and descriptions didn't match. I finally found an old photo that confirmed that it is, without a doubt, Merna United Church, built in 1907.
Luckily the Google car was on this lonely stretch of highway in August of 2013. (How do I apply for that job??). As you can see from that photo to mine below, the church is sporting a spiffy new coat of paint. I kind of like the timeworn look but the bright new white coat of paint means someone is still looking after this place, which is nice too. I wonder what became of the old sign?
**Update** I just heard from the Secretary at of the Sedgewick and Lougheed United Churches, who told me that the Merna Community is alive and well. The church holds an annual service. This years service happened to be yesterday, June 18, 2017, and was followed by a potluck picnic. Sounds lovely and I am delighted to hear that the community spirit continues.
 |
| Merna United Church |
 |
| Merna Cemetery |
 |
| A neat barn just East of Merna United Church. |
Happy Monday everyone, watch out for scourges of giant mosquitoes.
Lovely church. I like the notion that it may still be in use.
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I lived in northern Minnesota where there are lots of lakes, ponds and swamps and therefore, lots of mosquitos, one of my kids once said, while swatting mosquitos like mad, "Save them. Only takes three to make a meal." :)
Thanks Vicki! Hahhaaa! It has been a buggy year...as BW mentioned below!
DeleteLove the post. This is turning out to be a buggy year.
ReplyDeleteThanks BW! It is a buggy year...I heard it was supposed to be less buggy after a first wave big of mosquitoes..who knows!
DeleteGlad to hear that it's maintained and used. Nice post, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteThanks DM! I'd like to go back and get better photos. Hopefully on a sunny day!
DeleteOkay Jenn, you've convinced me, 5 Kit Kats for dinner ought to keep the Godzilla Mosquitoes away right? Or should I eat more? ;) The church is GORGEOUS. I lived in an area in Eastern Quebec for a few years called Orford, named after the mountain there. On top of one of the slopes was a similar looking church with a very interesting cemetery. All of the gravestones were "something"...horses, motorcycles, some kind of car or building...I had so many photos but my hard drive crashed and I lost them all, which was a horrible shame. You don't find gems like this too often.
ReplyDeleteHahah..better add some ice cream just to be safe. I would have cried if I lost all my photos, so sad! Seems like there is no shortage of interesting churches around. I just need to get paid to find them all for Google.
Delete