Schoensee Mennonite Church 2009

This is a sad but striking sight to behold in Schoensee, Molotschna. It is the remains of the once-beautiful Schoensee Mennonite Church, without a roof. On the first photo are Fred Fransen, Herb Fransen and Olga (Intourist guide).


Note the detail in the front gable and the remains of the front entrance covered in growth, in the second photo.


The third and fourth photos are taken inside the church (what a contrast from the picture submitted by Wilma).


In the third photo, Sharon Fransen, David Fransen, and Jeff Landis find a spot to stand on the brick rubble amidst the growth that fills the church.

In the fourth photo, David & Barbara Fransen hold one of the roof tiles that can be found outside the building. The tiles were made in the brickyard owned by Toews and Enns in Fabrikerwiese, and have "Toews and Enns" on each tile. David's maternal Grandparents, Johann Wall & Susanna Schellenberg were married in this church on November 10, 1913.