This cache is part of a series called the “Prairie Storms Adventure Trail” developed by Living Skies 2014 MEGA Event volunteers. Enjoy the hidden secrets of Southern Saskatchewan by getting off the beaten trail to sites seldom visited, scenic views, historic sites and buildings. The name also pays tribute to the Alberta's “Prairie Winds Adventure Trail” which was created for the Best of the Bad (WestCan 1) MEGA event in 2011.
This series will also take you along the Red Coat Trail, which is a 1,300 km route through southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta taken in 1874 by the North-West Mounted Police in their quest to bring law and order to the Canadian West. In Saskatchewan, Highway 13 is designated as Red Coat Trail.
This church is known as St. Martin's (Billimum) Roman Catholic Church.
In 1909 representatives of a group of German speaking colonists from Russia Crimea selected the area NW of Mankota as their future home. In 1910 the first contingent of settlers arrived and by the mid 1920's over 80 families had relocated to the settlement from their homeland in Europe. The first church was erected in 1924 and a second larger place was built in 1926. The second church was destroyed by fire the following year and the residents constructed another within a year.
The present church was blessed by Archbishop Mathieu of Regina in July 1927 and over the years has become the most prominent landmark in the district. In 1983 St. Martin's ceased to function as an active church and was designated as a historic site.
To receive a Special Edition Living Skies Geocoin, you must have logged, as "found" at least
45 of the “Prairie Storms Adventure Trail” caches. Please send an e-mail to
prairiestorms@livingskies2014.ca and we will check your profile and contact you for mailing arrangements. There are approximately
30 geocoins available.
