A group of Ukrainian people who immigrated from their mother country in an attempt to transplant their lives settled in the Goodeve area. With the influx of these settlers came their faith in the Lord and so the need for a church arose.

In 1918, by the will and desire of these people the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost was established and incorporated. An old schoolhouse was purchased and remodelled to serve as the first humble place of worship. It was blessed by Archbishop Ivan Theodorovich. The first priest was Rev. Stratychuk who was also a teacher at Halech School. He lived in a home rented for him from John Hayduk.

The first Annual Meeting was held on December 4,1919 at which time Leon Boykowich was elected president and John Pereyma was elected as secretary-treasurer. In 1920 a parcel of land was purchased on the north end of the town site to serve as the church cemetery. The first adult to be buried there was Sabina Boykowich in 1923, and in 1922 the first child to be interred there was Harry Kozakevich.

In 1923 an addition was built onto the church to provide more space. In 1932 a house was purchased and renovated to serve as the second rectory untill 1944 when a rectory was built in Ituna to accommodate the parish priest who was by then serving the communities of Goodeve, Fenwood, Hubbard, Birmingham and the outlying rural communities such as St. Elias west of Goodeve. The rectory in Goodeve was sold in 1945 to Joe and Julia Kowalchuk in. They continue to reside there to the present (1992).

Due to an increase in the number of parishioners a proposal to build a new church was approved in 1940. Plans were completed in 1952 with construction to begin in the spring of that year. The old church was sold to make room for the new church on the same site. The building committee was comprised of : Wm. Pankiw, president; George Pawlyshyn, vice-president; Nick Kozakevich, treasurer; John Luby, secretary.

The first service in the new church was held on Oct. 20, 1960. The service was officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion assisted by Rev. Panchanko and Rev. Kolenich.

The 50^th Anniversary of the church was celebrated in 1968. The celebrant was Rev. Orest Hudema with guest priest Rev. Wm. Olynyk of Youngstown, Ohio, a former resident of the Goodeve area. The Holy Ghost Church of Goodeve is one of nine churches of the Ituna-Wadena Parish District served by the priest residing at Ituna.

The Holy Ghost Church of Goodeve has always had its own choir.

Its earlier directors were William Gregory and John Koshlay. Its cantors were John Kozey, John Luby, and John Koshlay.The present cantor is William Kozey. The first sacristans were Wasyl Sawchin, John Pillipow Sr. and Yakim Pillipow, and following them were Hnat Kozakewich, Wm. Pillipow, and Alex Kozakewich. The present (1999) sacristan is Fred Bohay who succeeded John Pankiw.

Special mention must be made of the Ladies Organization. This group of dedicated women dates back to the beginning of the parish. They have always been instrumental in providing the backbone for providing the cultural life within the church. They are to be commended for the responsibility of providing a pleasant atmosphere and co-operative attitude at all church functions and for providing the necessary spiritual support.

The first recorded meeting was held on December 29, 1935 with the executive for 1936 as follows: president, Katherine Pawlyshyn; vice-president, Olena Pawlyshyn; treasurer, Patricia Korchinski; recording secretary, Dbr. Eva Kucey, wife of Rev. Kucey; Ladies' Aide, Nancy Kozakavich. At first the ladies held their meetings in private homes but later they were held in the Ukrainian National Home as the church hall was called.

The Ukrainian National Home was built to serve as a meeting place for young and old alike. In 1920, shares were sold at $10.00 to finance its construction. The committee in charge was John Kostyszyn and John Hayduk

The National Home has always played an important role in church functions. In the beginning young folk gathered to participate in drama and to socialize. There were Mother's Day and Taras Shevchenko concerts. An annual fowl supper and bazaar concluded the year. The pioneers gave of their time and hard work that enabled the church to survive and to prosper.

The parishioners of today must pause and reflect on the role and activities of the church and to pay tribute to its pioneers who have passed on. These people who planned, worked and worshipped together during difficult times set examples for the future generations.

Their legacy must not be forgotten!