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Chahor Church and Bell Tower
Warspite, Near
Other Names:
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Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Chahor Church (Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul) is a 1½-storey church, with a cruciform plan, and a central octagonal dome over the nave. Built in 1920, it is located at 60176 Range Road 183, approximately 9 kilometres north of Warspite. It is on the opposite corner from the Highland Hall, and is adjacent to a bell tower and a cemetery and situated on a hill. The Chahor Church and Bell Tower is a 1½-storey tower with a square plan, a high hipped roof, and pyramidal roof on top. The site includes the church and bell tower.
Heritage Value
The Chahor Church and Bell Tower are significant for their association with the provincial theme of Spiritual Life. They contain municipal value for their association with settlement and religious practices; for its design and construction; and as a prominent landmark within the region.
The Church provided the newly settled community with the ability to celebrate and worship the beliefs they brought with them from Eastern Europe. The Chahor Church is a testament to the community’s capacity and determination to maintain continuity with the religious rituals and traditions they knew so well in their native homeland.
There is also heritage value in the design and construction of the Church and Bell Tower. The cruciform plan is typical orthodox style. The simplicity in construction is representative of the simple tools, and methods used by local volunteer labourers. The Church was constructed using designs and techniques brought to the area by settlers who cherished memories of their native village churches, as can be seen in the octagonal dome, the lantern, the round-wheel windows, and the metal crosses that adorn the gable roof and the central dome. Alterations from their native designs were determined by location and climate, and availability of local building materials. The Church’s original superstructure cover is currently clad with vinyl siding.
The Chahor Church also contains heritage value as a prominent landmark in the district. The Church and Bell Tower are located on a slight rise on the diagonal corner across from the Barich (Highland) Hall. There are currently several services still held each year, and the Church continues to represent the significance and role of the Church within the region, and its ability to strengthen sense of community, religious belief and social development.
Character-Defining Elements
The heritage value of the Chahor Church and Bell Tower is expressed through such character-defining elements as:
Exterior of Church
-Form, massing and scale;
-cruciform plan shape with a hipped roof and an octagonal-dome with an octagonal metal domed roof lantern;
-two, round, wheel-windows on the sides of the dome;
-front storm porch with wood doors;
-metal cross finial on top of the roof lantern and on the ends of the main gable roof;
-wood shingles on the roof; and
-location adjacent to the cemetery and opposite of Highland Hall.
Interior of Church
-Log construction covered on the interior wood slats;
-nave and sanctuary (including prothesis, room or table where offerings are prepared) separated by iconostasis with royal door in centre and two side doors;
-inside dome with hand-painted décor;
-candle chandelier hung from dome;
-iconostasis with banners and icons painted by artists who specifically studied the Eastern European style; and
-six-winged angel raised and lowered by a rope.
Bellhouse
-Bellhouse with original bell;
-stairway that drops from the ceiling, giving access to the bellhouse; and
-1½-storey bell tower with a square plan, a high-hipped roof and a pyramidal roof.
Location
| Street Address: |
60176 Range Road 183 |
| Community: |
Warspite, Near |
| Boundaries: |
Part of NE 9-60-18-W4 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Buildings: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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18
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60
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9
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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54.179641 |
-112.62681 |
GPS |
NAD83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Local Governments (AB) |
| Designation Status: |
Municipal Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
2015/05/28 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1920 to 1920 |
| Period of Significance: |
1920 to 1988 |
| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Religious Institutions
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Philosophy and Spirituality
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| Historic Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Mortuary Site, Cemetery or Enclosure
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Institution
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| Current Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Mortuary Site, Cemetery or Enclosure
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Institution
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
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Additional Information
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