Random Entries from the Exhibitions’ Visitors’ Books

  • “A wonderful display – one which needed to be preserved. The history is very informative. Thank you.”
  • “Very nice collection of Manitoba history.”
  • ”Wonderful to look at the past, excellent to have history to go with photos.”
  • “Very thought-provoking quotes you’ve chosen/written to accompany your photographs. It made me experience each photo more closely after reading the poems. A wonderful exhibit!”
  • “Excellent pictures and historical notes.”
  • “Truly awesome, beautiful pictures and historical references.”
  • “Tyrrell. These photographs are a powerful reminder of the work and dreams of our country’s early years. Thank you.”
  • “Hi, Tyrrell, These pictures are really very nice. You did a very nice job. Thank you.”
  • “Dear Tyrrell, Enjoyed the photos and the info regards to each. History is a wonderful thing! Beautiful work. Thank you.”
  • “An incredible collection Tyrrell! Enjoyed it very much.”
  • “Amazing Canada’s hidden secrets captured here! Great memories and fantasies created here.”
  • “An amazing collection of beautiful photographs. We wish you all the best!”
  • “Hi, Tyrrell – lovely to see your work again in this sunny room. The poetry really spoke to me today, thank you for that. I hope to bring others to enjoy as I have.”
  • “Thanks for taking the time to show me Manitoba’s history of faith and churches.”
  • “This is extremely important work that Tyrrell has done!! Having just returned from conserving in Eastern Europe for 15 years. We Canadians often do not realize what we are losing in not recording and conserving, and churches were the centre of pioneer life. Thank you, Mr. Mendis,”
  • “Tyrrell Mendis, your work is so beautiful and interesting. It is really a nice opportunity to us to see the churches of Winnipeg. The pictures are wonderful! Keep doing this! Very nice to meet you! Congratulations for your work. Thank you!”
  • “We loved your jobs. It’s nice you have been taking pictures about churchs. Hugs from Brazil.”
  • “Very impressive. Enjoyed very much.”
  • “Dear Tyrrell. Your work speaks volumes about the beauty all around us and how much it needs to be preserved. Please do a book – you will be rewarded. God richly bless you. Great job.”
  • “An excellent display – good for you. Very interesting and ambitious on your part. Good luck. P.S. I saw the article and picture of you in the Free Press. Thank you.”
  • “Thank you for sharing your talent and insight into the wonderful churches of our province.”
  • “A wonderful show. The photos are priceless – a record of fast vanishing Manioba history. I really enjoyed the selection, write ups and beautiful photos. Best wishes on your book. Congratulations.”
  • “A very interesting and beautiful exhibit. Meaningful subject matter. Thank you.”
  • “A beautiful project – historical and artistic. Thank you!”
  • “You have done a very effective work of history with this exhibit. A truly enjoyable exhibition! Thank you.”
  • “Congratulations! Beautiful pictures! An excellent display!”
  • “Your photos are outstanding Tyrrell! Thoroughly enjoyed and needed the information that each photo had. Thanks for letting me know you were showing today. We’ll tell people we know you when you become famous.”
  • “A very worthwhile venture!”
  • “Thank you for the trip down Memory Lane in Canadian history. Great work.”
  • “Thank you for documenting those places of worship with such artistry. They are part of the soul of this land.”
  • “As one who preaches from many of these pulpits it was a thrill to recall memories through your pictures.”
  • “So much Western Canadian history told in the architecture and stories of the peoples who pioneered our early days. Wonderful display ought not to be missed. Congratulations and many many thanks for such a gift.”
  • “Wonderful to see someone preserving the heritage of these grand old buildings on film, even if they no longer exist in fact.”
  • “Very interesting.  Like the history lesson alongside each picture – travelled a lot to small towns and recognize a few.”
  • “Great pictures. The cards gave each a personality and depth. It would have been much less without the cards.”
  • “Thank you so much for sharing in this way. Makes me want to go for a long drive in the country.”
  • “Thank you for capturing the wonders and beauty of these communities.”
  • “Great history lesson! Hope you write a book!”
  • “Very beautiful photographs. I feel like I have just gone on a tour of rural Manitoba. Thanking you for sharing them with us. Awesome work and interesting.”
  • “Beautiful pictures. I grew up in the country and it brought back a lot of wonderful memories. Thank you.”
  • “Wonderful history of our province set against the glorious blue prairie sky. Very nostalgic.”
  • “So was it architecture history or pedagogy that brought this lovely synthesis? Thanks!”
  • “Truly wonderful! You leave a wonderful historical record for future generations to view and learn about our heritage.”
  • “What lovely memories these invoke. Thank you for preserving them.”  
  • “Absolutely beautiful – what a wonderful hobby to express one’s interest. Thank you. Churches have always had a draw to/for me.”
  • “Beautiful insightful photos! Enjoyed them very much. Maybe next time Holy Trinity Anglican in Headingley will be one of them!”
  • “Wonderful history behind each photograph.”
  • “Very very nice to visit these churches and their history. If you come to Melita we will show you the old churches in our area.”
  • “What a wonderful project for you to do. Thank you so much.”
  • “I really enjoyed our chat! The photos are true to the moment and the moments are inspired. Please keep it up.”
  • Beautiful photos. Very inspiring!!”
  • “A beautiful new perspective.”
  • “ Tyrrell. The collection is wonderful and beautiful. A valuable treasure to keep for Manitobans to look back and appreciate the rich history and testament of people and their faith in God express in coming together to church together to worship and to thank God for the Goodness and blessings endowed in their lives. God bless you.”
  • “Very impressive photography and I appreciate the historical notes and the fitting poetic caption.”
  • “Great pictures! Too bad few Northern churches.”
  • “So nice to see you again Tyrrell. Thank you for sharing your work.”
  • “I love that you are preserving these memories for future generations.”
  • “Wonderful photos of our history. I have been to weddings, funerals and worshipped in many of these beautiful buildings.”
  • “This is a remarkable and beautiful artistic tribute to the faith and wishes of our forebears. Many thanks.”
  • “Such dedication and passion in what you do. Lovely photos.”
  • “Tyrrell, you are a treasure that we are very fortunate to claim as our own here in Manitoba. Your passion for capturing images of nature and history and God’s gifts will be a lasting treasure for us and for generations to come. I can hardly wait for your books (photography illustrating your spiritual writing) to be published – hopefully by Manitoba publishers. Thanks for sharing your unique art of seeing and thanks for the spiritual essence with each photographic image.
  • “Congratulations Tyrrell. The show’s a great success. You have really made people aware of their history which is so taken for granted.”