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St. Mary's Roumanian Orthodox Church of Boian
Boian, Near
Other Names:
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Boian Church
ROC of St. Mary
Romanian Orthodox Church of St. Mary
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The St. Mary's Roumanian Orthodox Church of Boian is a typical rural vernacular church, built between 1903 and 1905. The church is a log structure covered with siding and is located on a property of 14.8 hectares in a rural setting approximately 9.7 kilometres east of Willingdon in central Alberta.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the St. Mary's Roumanian Orthodox Church of Boian lies in its association with the Romanian settlement in the Willingdon-Hairy Hill district at the turn of the twentieth century. It is also a good example of the vernacular Orthodox Church architecture found in the prairie west.
The first substantial Romanian community to establish itself in western Canada arrived in the Boian area in 1898, as part of the wave of European immigration flooding the prairie west at the turn of the twentieth century. Constructed by the settlers, the church has been used continuously since 1905 for regular services, christenings, funerals and weddings of the Romanian people. It is one of the oldest Romanian Orthodox churches still in use in North America.
Interesting architectural features include the belfry, cupola, fanlight window, and the altar and sacristy contained in the east elevation. The pioneer log construction was covered with wood siding in 1918 and stucco in 1948. It is one of a number of Eastern European churches in the region, and contributes to the cultural landscape.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 450)
Character-Defining Elements
The heritage value of St. Mary's Roumanian Orthodox Church of Boian is expressed in character-defining elements such as:
- form, scale and massing;
- wood construction;
- fenestration pattern including fanlight window above west entry porch;
- west, rectangular belfry with sheet metal roof and cast iron cross and two small sheet metal dormers;
- bell tower;
- interior details such as the icon screen, altar and sacristy in the east apse;
- continued location on its original site.
Location
| Street Address: |
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| Community: |
Boian, Near |
| Boundaries: |
Legal Subdivision 13 in 10-56-14-W4 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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14
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56
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10
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13 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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53.829448 |
-112.006385 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1977/07/13 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1903 to 1905 |
| Period of Significance: |
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| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Religious Institutions
Peopling the Land : Settlement
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| Historic Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Current Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Boian Church, as it is commonly called, is associated with the Romanian settlement in the Willingdon-Hairy Hill district at the turn of the 20th century. This frame structure, built in 1903, has been used continuously since that time and has been the scene of regular services, christenings, funerals and weddings of the Romanian people. Moreover, it is reported to be the oldest Romanian Orthodox Church still in use in North America. St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church is fairly typical of Orthodox Church architecture. Interesting features include the belfry, cupola, fanlight window, and the altar and sacristy contained in the east elevation.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0250 |
| Designation File: |
DES 0450 |
| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 23195
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 450) |
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