Stadnyk’s Church of the Holy Ghost

Submitted by Adella Moroz, Sheho, Sask

This church was started in 1924 on land donated by Kost Stadnyk. At that time it was called Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church.

The first trustees were Mike Skibinsky, John Ohochinsky and Andrew Ilchuk all of Winthorpe, Saskatchewan. Rev. Kucharowsky was the first minister.

Rev. Kucey, who later served the church, drew up blueprints for a new church. Starting in 1946, a lumber frame building with red brick siding and white trim was built, and in 1950 the church was completed with the erection of a large central dome.

The interior contains a choir loft above the main entrance and the center is adorned with a large chandelier. The church has a seating capacity of seventy-five.

To the west of the church on a gentle slope is the church cemetery. The church and cemetery are maintained by the few remaining members.

The clergy who served our church over the years are: Rev. Frs. Kucherowski, Kucey, Yakowkewych, Udod, Hredil, Jarmus, Dokoruk, Semotuik, Kokorudz, Hudema, Parfenuik, and Slashinsky, the present priest.

The cantors were: Fred Korpatniski, Nick Zwozdeski, Steve Husulak and Mrs. Katie Rudy, the present cantor. In 1968, the parish consisted of eight members and held two services a year. Today we have one service each year, a Memorial Service or Khram.

On January 31, 2000 our church changed its name to Stadnyk’s Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost and is presently a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

The 2005 executive is Mike Moroz, president, and Katherine Monych, secretary.