52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 13 Prompt - Worship

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 13

Prompt – Worship

Worship is the act of showing respect, praise and love to a God that is similarly praised by others. As far as I know most of my ancestors' lives were shaped and existed based on their adoration and respect of their God. Religion shaped who they were, how they acted, and where they lived.

As I have mentioned before, my father and his ancestors were predominantly Mennonites. My mother and hers were Lutheran. Bill's paternal line was Catholic and his maternal line was Lutheran. All of these are considered denominations of Christianity.

The immigrants arrived at their settlements and after establishing their homes (shelters), they would build their churches or house of worship.

My maternal grandmother, Maria Katharina Krikau had a photograph of the church she and her family attended in Warenburg, Russia.

This grand Lutheran Church was built in 1843. I only know it as The Lutheran Church of Warenburg, Russia. More than likely my grandmother was baptized in this church shortly after her birth in 1903. It was likely the church she worshipped in until their immigration to Canada in 1911. 

My paternal grandfather, Franz Peters was born in a Manitoba Mennonite colony called Plum Coulee. He was born 29 Jul 1876. Just 3 months later this Mennonite Old Colony Church was built and dedicated in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. Likely the place of worship for my grandfather, his parents and siblings. Mennonite churches were austere. 

 

 

 

 

 

... and likely the Saskatchewan Mennonite Church that my grandparents were married in. Franz Peters and Elisabeth Dueck in 1902.

The Hoffart paternal line was mostly Catholic. Bill's paternal grandfather was Rochus Hoffart and he was born Malcoci, Tulcea District, Dobrudscha, Romania in 1889. Rochus Hoffart served 5 years in the military and once finished the mandatory 5 year service at the age of 24 in 1914, he immigrated to Canada.

Malcoci Catholic Church

Now the church stands abandoned and in ruins with the roof gone and the cross tilted at 60%.

 

Bill's maternal grandfather, Arthur Jahnke met and married Ida Bachmann in Killaly, Saskatchewan in 1917.  Bill's mother, Clara Jahnke was their third child born in 1928 in Killaly.  At this point there was no Lutheran church in Killaly. Clara stated that church services were held at different congregation homes. Services were every 2nd week because they had a circuit pastor who had 4 parishes. He did 2 services one week and 2 the next.  Clara said she was baptized at the home of her grandparents, August and Wilhelmina Bachmann when it was their turn to host the church service.  Clara told me that The Killaly St. John's Lutheran Church was built in 1929-1930. It was built on land that was donated by August and Wilhelmina Bachmann - the parents of Ida Bachmann.

 St. John's Lutheran Church, Killaly, Saskatchewan.

 Bill's sister tells the story of the demise of St. John's Lutheran Church. Bill's sister and parents went to Killaly to help Arthur Jahnke pack up his belongings. This was approximately in 1973. Bill's parents decided to bring him into their home in Saskatoon to live. Arthur had recently lost his wife.  At the exact moment of loading up the car with Arthur Jahnke's belonging the demolition of the church had begun. It came crashing down breaking the cross at the peak of the church. Arthur Jahnke lamented that now he definitely had no reason to stay in Killaly.

They sold the church for scrap for the sum of $500.00.

Truly sad in so many ways. 

 Wendy