Today’s Ride to Church comes to us from Terry in Edmonton, who writes:
I live in Edmonton, which is in central Alberta, Canada. I was born here, but soon moved away, then back and away again – but somehow, Edmonton was always, and still is, my home. Edmonton is a diverse place – definitely blue collar (the infamous Alberta Oil Sands are a major economic engine here), but there is also a thriving arts community here, a world class university, and a stunningly beautiful river valley that remains largely in its natural state – great for all kinds of outdoor activities all year long (despite the brutal winters).
Early one Autumn Sunday morning, I went out to capture some of the beauty the city has to offer and ended up at the oldest LDS chapel in Edmonton – the Whyte Avenue Chapel. Some of my earliest church memories are in this chapel, and some of the best: being scolded as a 4 year old for not acting reverently enough, the awkward excitement of youth dances, single adult sacrament meetings, social events, family weddings, and countless hours of basketball in its gymnasium (even though the ceiling is too low for my 3-pointer). But best of all, I met my wife here, and fell in love with her while slow dancing in the dimly (but not too dimly) lit cultural hall. If my 4 year old self only knew what would happen in that place, maybe he could have been more reverent – but I doubt it.
Very nice, Terry.
Terry, loved your introduction. You captured my feelings about the churches that have been ‘mine’. And, loved the photos, particularly the autumn leaves, and the non-standard plan church.
Yes. I love the pictures, but the intro is what really got me.
I love the photos, as well as the adult self talking to the 4-year-old self. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this. My mom is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and we traveled to visit my relatives living there often when I was a child. I’ve gone to church in the Whyte Avenue chapel and these images are very familiar to me. Sadly, I’ve only been back in the past few years for funerals. Thanks for bringing back a piece of my childhood.
Thanks everyone for the kind words. It was fun taking the pictures, and nice to rummage around in the old memory archive for a while ;)