Estonian Chapel in Alberta: 100 Years Old
Irene Kerbes
In 1905, when the railroad was completed to Stettler, Alberta, there was a group of Estonian people of the Lutheran Faith living in the area south of Stettler. At a meeting of the local people, Pastor John Sillak, an Estonian Lutheran, came from Medicine Hat, Alberta to address the gathering. He explained that the Government would give two acres of land for a cemetery, probably taxable. If the people would decide to build a Church, then the Government would give them ten acres, and no taxes. The Estonian group, being devout Lutherans, wanted a sanctuary to worship in and a sacred place to bury their deceased. Taking Sillak’s advice; the group pursued the ten acres of land.
The Estonian Cemetery and Chapel were established in April, 1906, located on
S.E. ¼ -28-37-19, about a mile east of present day Linda Hall. The Gov’t gave a grant of ten acres from this quarter to the Evangelical Lutheran Church-“Puha Johannese Lutheriusu Kogudus” “Holy John Lutheran Congregation”- the Church had its beginning. People gathered in the home of Joseph Hennel for the purpose of organizing in the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. John Sillak, who had a P.H.D. in Philosophy and spoke several languages; addressed the assembly as to which foundation it was to be organized. John Sillak traveled over an enormous area, serving scattered Estonians and other Baltic immigrants from California to Manitoba.
The land was acquired from Christian Hennel in 1906. It is believed that Hans Asberg was the main carpenter when a simple all lumber structure was built by local Estonian volunteers and a cemetery was also created. The Chapel is a simple wooden building on the knoll over-looking the landscape. On the east and west walls are four-foot square windows, a door on the south end; and a cross on the top of the peak.
In the interior there are plain wooden pews, and an altar painted gold. Pastor Sillak held services here. He baptized the children and buried the deceased. When Pastor Sillak was unable to serve the Congregation, Gustav Nicklom, who served as a Vesper in Estonia, conducted the necessary service
The first caretaker of burials in 1906 was Hans Asberg, as he was the only one who could speak English. In 1909, this job was taken over by Gustav Nicklom until 1915. The post was open until 1930, when Martin Hennel filled in until 1932. At this time Joseph Tipman Jr. became Secretary-Treasurer and he kept the burial records until his death in 2000. Jay Tipman then kept the records until he left the area. He gave all of the records to Vern Raho.
According to statistics, there were three burials in 1907, these being the first of many to be buried in the Estonian Cemetery. Unfortunately, Rev. Sillak decided that two certain persons did not follow the teachings of the Lutheran faith so these people were buried outside of the Cemetery. At a later date, the Gov’t granted another acre of land; thereby adding the two graves to the Cemetery.
The founders of the St. John Lutheran Congregation were: Rev. John Sillak, Naden Silverman, Hans Asberg, Kristian Magi, John Kerbes, Martin Oliver (Ebruik), Alex Saar, Christian Hennel, Anders Negols, Joseph Hennel, Hans Johanson, John Kolga, Otto Renglas, Mrs. Magnus Tipman and Mrs. Joseph Tipman Sr. The idea was to get ten acres of land from the Federal Gov’t for $10.00 fee. The Gov’t was to notify John Sillak, the Pastor, as the land was, and then an inspector would be ordered to inspect it. The Estonians complied with all regulations and a Patent was issued to the Estonian Group and in 1910 the Gov’t forwarded the patent to the Pastor. The Pastor was ill with rheumatism so he proposed to send the Patent over to Hans Asberg, secretary of the Trustees, because the chairman, Hans Johanson, had passed away on Sept.29,1910. Hans Asberg would not accept the Patent because he didn’t want the Congregation to think that he would get the land for his own use. Pastor Sillak accepted the Patent and brought it to the gathering at a regular business meeting, Jan. 4-1910- in Docendo School-it was 50 degrees below zero!
A meeting was held at Joseph Hennel’s in 1911. The elected chairman was Joseph Tipman Sr. and the Secretary was Hans Asberg. The assembled people were asked to contribute to raise the $10.00 fee. Those who did contribute were: John Sillak, Martin Silverman, Hans Asberg, Christian Magi, John Kerbes, Martin Oliver, Alexander Saar, Christian Hennel, Anders Negols, Joseph Hennel, John Kolga, Otto and Jacob Renglas, Mrs. Magnus Tipman and Mrs. Joseph Tipman.
The Creed Read: “He who wants to be a member of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran , St John’s Congregation must accept these creeds unconditionally and believe what they say.” The title was given in the names of Joseph Tipman Sr. Cristian Hennel and William Hennel- and that this land is the property of the Congregation and must remain with the Congregation forever.
The local people helped to maintain the cemetery and gave generously of their time and money to build a fence around the Cemetery and to care for their Church. Those who helped had the eternal right to bury their deceased in the Cemetery. It was written and dated Dec.10,1929.
“Whosoever troubles us after this meeting of the 10 th day of 1929, by trying to rob from us, the Church and with the Church and the Cemetery; these persons are not allowed to bury no corpses in our Cemetery”.
Signed by: Joseph Hennel
Christian Hennel
William Klaus
Pastor John Sillak
Secretary Joseph Tipman Sr., Christian Hennel and William Hennel were the first Trustees and kept the records. Others to follow in this capacity were Gustav Nicklom, George Klaus Sr., Joseph Hennel, Joe Tipman Jr., Martin Hennel, Rudolph Hennel, Alfred Klaus, Otto Nicklom and many others.
There was a time when the Chapel and Cemetery fell into an unkempt state. The Gov’t contacted the Linda Hall Men’s Club and informed them – if the area was not improved, the Gov’t would relocate the remains to another cemetery. The Men’s Club contacted the local Estonian families and organized a clean-up bee in June of 1967. The people came with equipment and lots of energy and began the restoration. The Chapel was moved to its present site, closer to the burial ground. The Chapel received new windows, a new door and a paint job. A new fence, several gates and a sign were eventually erected. Trees and a hedge of lilacs were planted. Rose Kerbes (Albert), grand-daughter of Gustav Nicklom, stamped the iron crosses which were placed in rows to signify the many unmarked graves.
In 1996, a trust fund was set up for the perpetual care and maintenance of the Chapel and grounds.
In 1997, a new roof and siding were put on the Chapel. This was done to preserve the original structure from the weather. The interior is as it was in 1906.
In the roadside Cemetery, beneath rows of iron crosses and many beautiful headstones, lie approximately one hundred Estonian Pioneer family members providing mute testimony to the early Estonian presence in the area. But the struggles and great contributions of the Pioneer Estonians are alive in the memories of their children and grand-children; and should become part of the awareness of all Albertans seeking to understand the many cultures which have come together to make today’s Alberta.
“May they rest in Peace and not be forgotten”
Information has been taken from The Estonian Cemetery Records and articles by Joe Tipman, Jr.
Compiled by Irene Kerbes 2006
President George W. Bush visited the Estonian capital Tallinn on November 28, 2006 enroute to the NATO Conference in Riga, Latvia. He is the first US President to visit Estonia.
According to the White House press release President Bush, during the joint press conference with Estonian President Ilves, stated that “we talked about how our nations can cooperate to achieve common objectives and promote common values, values such as human dignity and human rights and the freedom to speak and worship the way one sees fit.”
Bush stated that he considers Estonia “a strong friend and ally of the US”. He also said that Estonians understand the “need to resist tyranny and realize their dreams of living in a free society”.
Several news agencies reported that President Bush was particularly impressed with Estonia’s tax system: “they’ve got a tax system here that is transparent, open and simple”. He was presented with two gifts: a glass sculpture and a Skype wireless phone that can be used to make calls over the Internet.
