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Sts. Peter and Paul, Fenwood--an Historical Overview

Graveside services | maintenance work | list of clergy | Millennial Dedicatory Commemoration  | history of the UOCC

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Area Church Designated Heritage Site

by Russell C. Sawchyn
c.llessur@sk.sympatico.ca 

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Originally planned for July 12, about 100 people gathered July, 1988, to participate in a memorial service and the official designation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church site as a heritage site.

The church building itself was erected in 1905 for the purpose of the Keningsberg School house. Because of its proximity to Fenwood which was incorporated in 1909 the school site was moved farther south. The original building and its site were then purchased in 1914 and registered as the "Ruthernian Presbyterian Church." In 1916 renovations were undertaken and in 1918 the congregation sought membership with the newly formed Ukrainian Greek-Orthodox Church of Canada. The church and cemetery were blessed and consecrated in 1920 and thereafter they were referred to in honour of their adopted patron saints: the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek-Orthodox Church of Fenwood. The last service was held in 1964. Several times since a memorial service would be held July 12, the date signifying St. Peter's day.

Since 1984 a project committee was formed and together with the church board the buildings were painted and roof repaired; a history book on the church community was written; a cairn with an inset historical plaque was constructed; new entrance gates were erected. On Feb. 11, 1986, the Stanley Municipality passed a bylaw under the Municipal Heritage Property Act which declared the church site a heritage site.

The memorial service at the churchyard cross was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dr. H. Udod assisted by Mike H. Kozakewich and William Halyk. The choir was led by Mrs. Udod. The service was followed by the blessing of the graves and cairn. Dr. Udod concluded with some interesting references to heritage in both English and Ukrainian.

As an introduction to the official ceremonies Russell C. Sawchyn read the inovocation "Father God".

The ribbon bearers were Effamia (née Rygus) Sawchyn, age 90, and her brother Nick Rygus, age 82. Together they represented the church founders of whom their parents, George and Katherine Rygus, are regarded as foremost. Nick was at that time president of the church board. He might well represent the church brotherhood and Effamia the church sisterhood. Nick also attended this school some 75 years previously.

Other people representing some aspect of the school-church history and participating in the ceremonies were: Alfred Holmedal, age 86 (absent). Alfred was to represent the officials of the Keningsberg School, 1905-1914. As well, he was to represent the school students since he attended this school. His father Honken Holmedal and his uncle R.R. Reinerston built the school house in 1905.

William Halyk represented the church membership from Birmingham. He represented the church youth society of which he was an active member. William's parents were very active in church activities and his father was president of the church board.

Mrs. Mike (Kay) Kozakewich represented the "Amateur Drama Group", a youth society of the early church. A memorial service has an especially deep significance to her. Seven of her family members are interred in the church cemetery.

Marie Steiner, Sam Osienny and Victor Rathgaber (absent) represented the Stanley Municipality in which the church site is located. The site is a portion of the land owned by Victor Rathgaber, reeve of the municipality, and is in the division represented by Sam Oscienny. Mrs. Steiner, the administrator, prepares the official tax receipts for anyone donating to the Sts. Peter and Paul Heritage Fund.

Alex Oryschak represented all those who would share their skills and trade expertise in improving heritage property. It was he who constructed the cairn and erected the entrance gatges. As an ex-serviceman he represented all those who went forth during the was to defend the very ideals, the values, and the heritage which enabled us to assemble and to acknowledge on this special day.

Hon. Grand Schmidt represented the provincial government which through its legislated Municipal Heritage Property Act, appropriates grants to maintain and to improve a heritage site such as this.

After some interesting comments relative to one's heritage he cut the ribbon, thus officially designating the church site as "Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Heritage Site (1986)". The entire group then posed for photographs.

After lunch served by the church ladies many proceeded to the Birmingham Orthodox Cemetery for a memorial service there.

The church board and the projects committee wish to thank all who participated in this memorable even; to Joe Kozakewich for preparing information sheets and for being the photographer; and to all who have given generously.

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Sts. Peter and Paul UO Heritage Church of Fenwood Celebrates Graveside Services

by Russell C. Sawchyn

Following the festivities at the Birmingham Orthodox Cemetery (BOC) on July 11, 1999, Fr. Michael Domaradz celebrated graveside services at the UO Heritage Church of Fenwood located 6 mi. W and 3/4 mi. S of Birmingham. The church, resplendent in its new coat of gleaming white and a rich green trim, is further highlighted in its Orthodox backdrop by the addition of a new, white, three-barred cross. The cross constructed by Russell Terlesky replaces the original cross constructed by his grandfather, Fred Terlesky. Inside the church Fr. Michael alluded to Ukrainian traditions in a brief but interesting talk to about 15 people.

This once vibrant country church evokes nostalgia to many with the echoes of past memories. Here is an excerpt from my book Memories (1986):

These are my memories: the peel of the church bell, its vibrant sound haunting the silence of a Sunday morning stillness.

The fluent smoothness of the priest's voice as he began Divine Liturgy with "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages." And the characteristic chanting voices of the cantors in unison with the people answering, "Amen".

The sight of many worshipers-all standing. Close by me was my father and my uncle; to my left near the stove was my aunt in silent prayer.

The metallic sound of the Sanctus bell and everyone kneeling in silence, save for a crying baby.

The smell of burning wood and of burning candles; of smoking incense that clothed the altar in ethereal veils.

The blessing of the Pascha. Again and again, then once again the slow procession circled the church and followed the priest carrying the shroud above his head. Some boys carried banners, a few girls carried holy pictures and I sounded a wooden noisemaker I know not what to call.

The catechism. Once again after Liturgy we children stood before the priest. To say the Lord's Prayer and to cross ourselves three times properly thereafter meant a reward. Somewhere from under the folds of his loose vestments he would find the peppermints and the jellybeans. I do not recall a time when any one of us was not rewarded.

The carollers singing God Eternal. There were many of them-happy, effervescent. How I wished I were one of them!

And the vanilla taste of homemade ice cream- heaping cones of it, for they were the prizes for the races, the tug-o-wars, the ball games. After all, everyone enjoyed a St. Peter's Day picnic.

But memories are soon forgotten.           

My work began in earnest when I noticed the  many unmarked and unknown graves in the cemetery. Nearby like two silent sentinels, stood the old church with its belfry companion-beacons of a past, sanctums wherein lay the almost forgotten story, the history of a church, of its founders, of its members and of its supporters. Within this setting one can ponder about the meaning of time, of life, and of death-mysterious concepts the parameters of which have always eluded the human rationale. Only in the Christian experience do these concepts adopt any meaning and then only in the context of faith.

References to the cemeteries always unveiled something or someone heretofore unknown to me; in particular, my great paternal  grandmother who, I am told, was the first to be buried in the Birmingham Orthodox Cemetery; and my paternal uncle who had the misfortune of a tragic death and whose gravesite one can only guess at.

That many had already passed into the mists of memory is a startling reality. The few that I can still refer to are also approaching the same fate. It is these few that provided much needed detail on some of the deceased, for names and dates on a headstone would otherwise remain as cold statistics when family contacts could not be made.

Finally, my fundamental regret is the late start any attempt was made to revive and to preserve these memories.

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Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Heritage Church, Fenwood, Sask.

Thank you all for your cash donations and your thoughtful considerations in helping us maintain one of the oldest landmarks in the area (1905). This church was declared a Heritage Site by the RM of Stanley #215 in 1986.

President: Russell C Sawchyn

Secretary-Treasurer: Mike H Kozakewich

Here are some of the improvements that were done over the recent few years:

Interior painted Orest Buciora
Outdoor cross construction    Russell  Terlesky
donation    Russell Sawchyn
Porch stabilized Russell Terlesky
New entrance steps constructed Russell Terlesky
North exterior wall
Bottom board replaced		 Russell Terlesky
Exterior painted Jerry Kozey
Over 100 trees  and shrubs courtesy PFRA
all planted by hand Russell Sawchyn
Front Fence moved and reconstructed Russell Sawchyn
Porch Ceiling Panel installed and donated by Edward Sawchyn
Gates and Cairn with inset historical plaque Alex Oryschak
Roof and General Repair Herb Fuchs
Receipt Issues for Income Tax Marie Steiner
Site Maintenance Russell Sawchyn

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Clergy who celebrated Divine Liturgy
Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Fenwood:

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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1998

                This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (originally the Ukrainian Greek-Orthodox Church of Canada). Based on the Mother Church of Constantinople its traditions from apostolic times transcended and sustained it through the ages of history.

                        It was on July 17-18,1918 that the Ukrainian Greek-Orthodox Church of Canada was established at Saskatoon, Sask. Attending this formative event were: Mike B.Halyk, farmer, Alex Haleluk, postmaster, both of Birmingham; H.Lysechko of Melville, S.B. Mykytiuk, teacher, then of Alberta but later of Fenwood; Leon Boykowich of Goodeve; Mike Cherneyko, teacher, of Arran and father of Judge Chorneyko of Wynyard.

                        Faith, patience, fortitude and foresight 0f people such as these and many others resulted in one of the greatest legacies in Canadian history and in which my maternal grandparents, Yuri and Katherine (nee Kuciuk) Regus, my paternal granparents, Wasyl and Anna (nee Halyk) Sawchyn, and my parents, Michael and Effamia (nee Regus) Sawchyn continued in their footsteps and in which I take deep pride---Na Mnohaya Leeta. 

Russel C. Sawchyn
Fendwood, Sask.

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The Front Pews-a Millennial Dedicatory Commemoration 

--to the founding members of Sts. Peter and Paul UO Church of Fenwood, Sask.

--to the members and adherents of Sts. Peter and Paul UO Church of Fenwood

--to the youth society (CYMK)

--to the Keningsberg School Officials, 1905-1914

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