St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Wishart

            St. Michael’s Church was organized in 1928 and constructed the same year on three acres of land donated by the late Mr. and Mrs. Hawrischuk. The original organizers were:

John Mysak, Dmetro Dwernichuk, Kost Chebriak, Alec Popowich, John Melnychuk, Pilpiuk,  and Harry Shevchuk who served as the cantor from the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Hrebeniuk to the time of destruction of the church in 1963.

            In 1952 the church was moved to Wishart with each member contributing $500.00 towards decorating and painting of the interior. This was undertaken and completed by Fr. and Dbr. Moroz. The mortgage was paid by raising money through pie and box socials, dances held at the Husak and Sworak homes, and support from the Orthodox members of the Wishart, Wynyard, Bankend and the Punnichy parishes. New members joined the parish: Peter Senkiw, G. Drozdiuk, N. Stefanyshyn, N. Sulateski, Joe Swarak, P. Kuprowski, Mr. Gabora, J. Kuyek, B. Fedoruk, John Salley, John Sorokan, J. Popiuk, W. Zack, A. Sawchuk.

            In 1963 the church was destroyed by fire disrupting the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Boris Yakowkewych who later became Bishop Boris. Ten articles were saved and donated to the Wynyard parish. The bell tower and cross were transferred and erected on the cemetery of the church’s original farm site. It was also the end to an active women’s organization, the Lesia Ukrainka Ukrainian Women’s Association. St. Michael’s parish came to an end with its members joining the Wynyard and Edmore parishes with the former serving the entire area since.