View source for Peno AB Saint Michael Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1904


[[File:Peno AB St Michael 2 (3).png]]

'''Peno, Alberta, Church and Cemetery of Saint Michael, 1904'''



==Prehistory==

The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael Temple of Saint Michael the Archangel] at Peno is situated in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_County Lamont County], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta Alberta], [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], which is a part of the large region presently known as “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_trilobum Kalyna] Country”, to the northeast of [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton/ Edmonton].  

'''Early immigration : Star-Edna Colony'''

The Peno settlement was part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna-Star_colony Star-Edna Colony] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_Canadians Ukrainian Block Settlement].  

From about 1899 to 1903, the area of the Peno settlement was populated by immigrating newcomers from the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Galicia-historical-region-Eastern-Europe Halychyna] (Galicia) area of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ukraine  Western Ukraine].  This area had been part of the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria-Hungary Austro-Hungarian Empire] before [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-world-war-wwi/ World War I], and it was known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galicia_(Eastern_Europe) Galicia].  Within that empire, it was called the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Galicia_and_Lodomeria Kingdom of Galicia and Ludomeria] until World War I.  It was, therefore, in the general political orbit of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Poland Poland].  That those who settled in Peno came from Halychyna is something that they had in common with the founders of several other parishes in this "Kalyna Country" region.  

==Foundation of the community, 1904==

The parish was founded in 1904, and then for some time, people gathered as they were able in order to pray and worship together.  

A more formal establishment occurred in about 1909 (because it took a long time for [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/homesteading/ homesteaders] to be allowed formally to register ownership of properties), after which the Temple was constructed.  Under the direction of a local carpenter, Mr. Korpan, parish volunteers assisted in the work of construction.  

The inclusion of the term "Russo Orthodox" in the corporate name of the parish is indicative both of its foundation in the early years of immigration, and of the relationship of this parish to [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Bishop (Saint) Tikhon (Belavin)] at the time, and through him to the "[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/The_%E2%80%9CRussian_Mission%E2%80%9D_in_North_America Russian Mission]" and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Church of Russia].  Bishop Tikhon had difficulty incorporating the bishop-and-Church in Canada (in part) because he was a foreigner, and the incorporation that he managed to accomplish came about only in 1903.  The descriptive term "Russo Orthodox" was an attempt to show that the people of the parish were not simply "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russians Russians]" as such, but rather people from within the [https://www.britannica.com/place/Russian-Empire Russian Empire] who originated in the southerly regions long ago known as "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rus%27_people Rus']" (this was before the term "[https://www.britannica.com/place/Ukraine/History Ukraine]" was widely used).  

'''Description of the Temple, 1909'''

This Temple is one of the earliest examples of an open-[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome dome] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciform cruciform] construction in the settlement area.  Oriented (as is usual for any Orthodox Christian Temple) on the east-west axis, the Temple is designed on a central longitudinal cruciform plan following “[https://www.britannica.com/art/Byzantine-architecture Byzantine]” customs.  There is a single large central dome on an octagonal base.  In addition, the Temple has a [https://www.ncslate.com/resources/blog/cross-gabled-slate-roof/ cross-gable roof].  The church site is surrounded by flat arable land, with second or third generation trees.

The entry to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narthex narthex] is by a door at the west end into a small [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibule_(architecture) vestibule] under the choir loft.  The narthex leads into the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nave nave].  

At the east end of the nave is the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Solea solea] and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas] on a raised floor.  There are 2 identical [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transept transepts] to the north and south of the space beneath the central dome.  The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Altar Altar] is beyond a 3-tier [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconostasis iconostas].  Within the Altar, there are 2 side-rooms on the north and south sides.  There are no additional entrances from the exterior to the church's interior. 

A large drum fixture rises from the intersection of the roofs over the nave.  This drum constitutes the interior of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola cupola] as it supports a high octagonal [https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/o/Onion_dome.htm onion-shaped dome] on the exterior, which is covered with a silver-coloured metal.  A large wrought-iron Cross rests on top of the [http://holytrinityoca.org/the-meaning-of-the-domes-in-orthodox-church-architecture/ cupola].  

In 1918, Philip Pawliuk constructed the 3-tiered iconostas and other interior furnishings.  At the same time, [http://www.rcip-chin.gc.ca/application/aac-aic/artiste_detailler_ind-artist_detail_ind.app;jsessionid=3A76E159AA0DAB0DF133FA01B7BA7164?rID=33786&fID=2&lang=en&qlang=en&pID=1&anm=Lipinski%2C+Peter&sort=AM_ASC&ps=50&pID1=626&ps1=50&ansf=TAM&sort1=ascending Peter Lipinski] painted the walls, ceilings and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icons] in the Temple.  The dome was originally painted sky blue, and it was adorned with [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Angels angels] and stars.  The dome and stars have since been repainted but the angels have not been altered. 

One can say that this Temple of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael Archangel Michael] in Peno is one of Peter Lipinski's earlier works.  There is a variety of styles and materials in his [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icon paintings].  One can see a variety of colours ranging from his darkish-brown (the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostles Apostles]) wall icons to the brightly-coloured icons on the iconostas.  For the 3-tiered iconostas, Peter Lipinski painted the icons on the top-tier and the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Doors Royal Doors].  The remaining icons found on the iconostas are reproduction [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithography lithographs].  

An open [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_tower bell-house] built from split [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fieldstone field-stone] stands in front of the Temple. 


[[File:Saint-Michael-Peno-Bell-house 1.jpg]]  '''The bell-house'''


'''Rural depopulation'''

As is the case with many other rural communities, the region around Peno became steadily [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/urbanization depopulated] after the 1940s.  Farms were consolidated in the formation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agribusiness agricultural businesses], and people generally moved into various urban environments.


[[File:St Michael Peno (2).jpg]]  '''Saint Michael's Temple'''


[[File:Saint Michael Russo-Orthodox Church Peno 2.jpg]]


[[File:2016.11.11 St Michael Peno (3)CStB 1.jpg]]  '''The Temple in 1990'''


[[File:Saint-Michael-Church-Peno-AB Wunther 1982 1.png]]  [[File:Peno AB St Michael in winter 2.png]]

'''The Temple in winter'''

==Saint Michael's Cemetery (1904)== 

The [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2566064/russo-greek-orthodox-church-of-st.-michael Saint Michael Orthodox Cemetery of Peno] is located at NW 07-57-18 W4, less than a kilometre south from the Temple, south of Township Road #572, on the east side of Peno Road, which is Range Road #190.


[[File:Entrance to Saint Michael Church Cemetery Peno 2.png]]  '''Entrance to the cemetery'''


[[File:Cemetery-Cross-at-Saint-Michael-Peno 2.png]]  '''The cemetery Cross'''

==Parish particular information ==

This parish is a part of the Deanery of [https://www.archdiocese.ca/communities?field_deanery_tid_i18n=5&field_community_type_value_i18n=All&title=  Alberta & Northwest Territories] of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Archdiocese of Canada], of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Church in America].  The [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Dean dean] is [https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/lehr-archpriest-vincent-brian Archpriest Vincent Lehr].  The bishop is [[Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]].  

This parish follows the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar Old (Julian) Calendar].

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael Archangel Michael], 8/21 November.

The languages used are English and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_Slavonic Church Slavonic].

In 2025, the parish is served by local clergy of the deanery.


Address :

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/community/st-michael-church-cemetery-peno-ab Saint Michael's Orthodox Church]

SW18-57-18-W4 

Junction of Range Road #190 and Township Road #572

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_County Lamont County], Alberta.


The mailing address of the parish is in care of the dean :

c/o Archpriest Vincent Lehr

Saint Herman of Alaska's Sobor

9930-167 Street

Edmonton, Alberta 

T5P 4W7


Directions :

The Temple is located 80 km (50 mi) northeast of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton Edmonton] or 25 km (15.5 mi) west of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew,_Alberta Andrew].  

Drive 3 km (2 mi) north from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Highway_45  Highway #45] on Peno Road (Range Road #190).  After passing the Saint Michael Cemetery (on the right) and Township Road #572 (the area of the Peno settlement), the Temple is on the right.

[https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Skaro+Lake/@53.9250468,-112.7341703,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x53a0f938cc2ab173:0xac8ed2acc426456e!8m2!3d53.9248899!4d-112.7138746 Skaro Lake] is about 1 km (.5 mi) to the west of Range Road #190, north of Township Road #572. 


[[File:Aerial-view-of-Saint-Michael-Peno 2.png]]  '''Aerial view of the Temple'''


[https://www.archdiocese.ca/clergy/lehr-archpriest-vincent-brian Archpriest Vincent Lehr], Dean

E-mail : frvincent@sthermans.ca

==References==

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/publications/TheOrthodoxChurchInCanadaChronology1980-1988.pdf Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).]

Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Alberta. Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism, “Historical driving tour : Ukrainian churches in east central Alberta” (Edmonton, Alberta : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 1988).  

[https://archive.org/details/ukrainianblocset00mart Martynowych, Orest T, “The Ukrainian bloc settlement in east central Alberta, 1890-1930 : a history, including bibliography with annotations” (Historic Sites Service; Alberta. Alberta Culture : Edmonton, 1985).]  

“Pride in Progress : Chipman - St. Michael - Star Districts” (Chipman, Alberta : Alberta Rose Historical Society, 1982), pp. 575-576. ISBN : 0-88925-369-2. 


'''Additional information :'''

Martynowych, Orest T. “[https://www.ciuspress.com/product/ukrainians-in-canada-the-formative-years-1891-1924/?v=3e8d115eb4b3 Ukrainians in Canada : The Formative Period, 1891–1924]” (Edmonton : Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, 1991. ISBN 10 : 0920862764. ISBN 13 : 978-0920862766.  

Potrebenko, Helen,  “[https://www.biblio.com/book/streets-gold-social-history-ukranians-alberta/d/5181951  No Streets of Gold : A Social History of Ukrainians in Alberta]” (Vancouver, BC : New Star Books, 1977)   ISBN 10 ‏: ‎ 0919888704, ISBN 13‏ : ‎ 978-0919888708.  

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “[https://archive.org/details/orthodoxamerica10000unse Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America]” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

[https://oca.org/parishes/oca-ca-pensmc OCA listing]

[https://archdiocese.ca/community/st-michael-church-cemetery-peno-ab Archdiocese listing] 

[https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/23610/Canada/Alberta/Peno/Church/Saint-Archangel-Michael-Orthodox-Church Orthodox-World listing]    

[https://www.archdiocese.ca/ Archdiocese of Canada web-site] 

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archdiocese_of_Canada Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada]    

[https://www.oca.org/ The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) web-site]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church_in_America Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Saint_Tikhon_(Belavin) Saint Tikhon (Belavin)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Alexander_(Nemolovsky) Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Evdokim_(Meschersky) Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Platon_(Rozhdestvensky) Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theophilus_(Pashkovsky) Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)] 

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Leonty_(Turkevich) Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)]   

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Nikon_(de_Gr%C3%A8ve) Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Ireney_(Bekish) Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)]    

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Herman_(Swaiko) Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Jonah_(Paffhausen) Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)]   

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Tikhon_(Mollard) Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)]  

[http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_(Saint)_Arseny_(Chahovtsov) Archbishop (Saint) Arseny (Chahovtsov)]  

[https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Ir%C3%A9n%C3%A9e_(Rochon) Archbishop Irénée (Rochon)]   

[http://www.pryvit.info/gallery/Peno.html Pryvit article about Saint Michael the Archangel Russo-Greek Orthodox Church ] 

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2566064 Findagrave cemetery reference]

[http://www.prairiesouls.com/A.%20Lamont%20Cemetries%20on%20Line/St%20Michael,%20AB%20-%20Orthodox%20Cemetery/Mycemetery--Orthodox-Cemetery-cem-index.htm  Prairiesouls cemetery names]

[https://app.pch.gc.ca/application/aac-aic/artiste_detailler_bas-artist_detail_bas.app?rID=33786&fID=2&lang=en&qlang=en&pID=637&ps=50&sort=AM_ASC Canadian “Heritage in Canada” artist Peter Lipinski]

[https://www.wcr.ab.ca/This-Week/Stories/entryid/4667 Article about Peter Lipinski in "Western Catholic Reporter", 2013]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsXs3f0E5i8 Video of Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church] 

[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ukrainians-homesteading-in-the-parkland-feature/ Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Ukrainian Settlement in the Canadian Prairies]

[https://www.lamontcounty.ca/visitors/church-tour Item in the “Lamont County Churches” brochure]  

[https://www.lamontcounty.ca/public/download/files/186292 Brochure "Church Capital of North America Lamont County" (articles and photos about some of the 47 churches in the county)] p. 8.  (About Peter Lipinski, p. 28.)

[https://prairiechurches.ca/index.php/12-alberta-churches/212-st-michael-orthodox-church-peno-oca Little Churches on the Prairies : Saint Michael Orthodox Church – Peno, AB (OCA)] 

[https://pioneerchurches.ca/index.php Pioneer Churches on the Prairies web-site]  

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/List_of_parishes_in_Alberta_(Canada) List of Orthodox Churches in Alberta] 

[http://archbishop-of-ottawa.org/messenger/Com1993-July.pdf ‘Churches of Rural Alberta’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (July, 1993)], pp. 4-5. 






[[Category:Parish Communities]] [[Category:Alberta & Northwest Territories]] [[Category:ROGCCNA]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:OCA]]