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Nativity of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox
Church,
A significant number of Ukrainian people were already residing in the
Wynyard Of prime importance was a meeting place for the people. Plans unfolded for the construction of a hall and through the combined efforts and cooperation of the members the Taras Schevchenko National Home was built. It became the center of social, cultural and fund-raising activities. The members of the first executive of the parish were: T. Achtemichuk_President, P. Mochulsky_Secretary, F. Anaka_Treasurer; the first clergy serving the parish were: Rev. Fr. N. Moroz, Rev. Fr. J. Kusey, Rev. Fr. Melnychuk, Rev. Fr. Bodnarchuk. At a meeting in 1949, proposed plans for an Orthodox Church in Wynyard were further discussed. Parish president, Judge Michael Stechishin, informed those present that a chapel at the Dafoe airport was for sale and by unanimous agreement it was decided to procure it with George Ripak, Joe Lysak, George Dmytruk and Fred Pylypiuk each donating $400.00 towards the cost of purchase and for its transport to Wynyard. Renovations were completed under the supervision of Fred Pylipiuk and Fred Anaka; domes and iron crosses still in use today on the new church were constructed by George Ripak; the cross and kivot were donated by Mr. And Mrs. Dwernichuk, the church banners by George and Mary Dmytuk, the Gospel by John and Sophie Kushniruk, and by Dan and Tekla Krawchuk. Parish members in 1950 were: Judge M. Stechishin, Peter Mochulsky, Joe Lysak, Fred Anaka, George Ripak, Mike Marcishyn, George Dmytruk, Metro Ostopowich, Fred Pylypiuk, Bill Lysak, Mike Popowich, Elia Popowich, Nick Palatiuk, Harry Krawchuk, Mike Babey, Metro Barenitz, John Kushniruk, Mel Kushniruk, Dan Krawchuk, Alex Pylypiuk, Alex Storos, Dmetro Hankewich, Peter Dwernichuk, Steve Hrushka, Bill Skutelny, Bill Popowich, Fred Popowich, Bill Pylypiuk, Matt Pylypiuk, Bill Baylak, Dmetro Dwernichuk. On September 8, 1951, the parish was visited by Most Reverend Metropolitan Ilarion of Winnipeg. Assisting in the Divine Liturgy were Rev. Fr. B. Yakowkewich and Rev. Fr. T. Yakowkewich , both of Sheho, Sask., Rev. Fr. Kowalyshyn of Saskatoon and Rev. Fr. Chomiak of Watson. Also in attendance was the Saskatoon choir. The cantor was Mike Martsyshyn. The church was blessed and named the Nativity of St. Mary. Following the service a congregational dinner was held in the Ukrainian National Home. The day’s finale was a concert presented by the Saskatoon choir under the direction of M. Femchuk and John Stratychuk. The first couple to get married in Wynyard’s Nativity of St. Mary Church were Fred Popowich and Mary Popadynetz; the first baby to be baptized was Elsie Kushniruk, and the first funeral was that of Mary Dmytruk on November 15, 1952. In 1963 the St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Wishart was destroyed by fire. As a result some of its members joined the Wynyard congregation. They were Peter Senkiw, Kost Cheberiak, Harry Shewchuk, Joe Sworak, John Melnychuk, Jack Popiuk, William Zak, John Salley and Wasyl Federuk. New members to join the parish were Nick Husak, Nick Pillipow, Ted Bzdel, T. Romaniuk, Alex Hrycyna, Peter Musichuk, Anton Bilocure, Bill Kotyk, John Evanyshyn, Bill Skwarchuk, Lyle Reynolds, Milke Solohub, Nettie Lysak, Sam Polischuk, Donald Pillipow, Peter Husak, Sylwester Yewsiuk, Peter Dobrowalski, John Dempsey, Bill Shewciw, A. Chorneyko, Tony Koladzinski, Bernard Krawchuk, John Senkiw and Bill Strilchuk. By the late 1960s it was evident that the existing church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. It was also in need of repairs. The parish decided to build a new and larger church. The old church was moved off the site and construction began in 1968. Once again the parish was fortunate to have its own carpenter, Fred Pylypiuk, who voluntarily contributed his own services and supervised the construction, and once again there was volunteer help and wholehearted support of the members. Nick Husak brought the beams from Regina at his own expense. They were welded by Peter Husak. The interior drywalling was done without charge by Peter Husak and Fred Popowich. The ladies’ organization supplied meals and lunches for the workmen and who also varnished the arches and painted the exterior. On Sunday, October 26, 1969 the new church was blessed by Bishop Boris assisted by Rev. Fr. S. Jarmus and Rev. Fr. A. Teterenko. The choir from Yorkton and the cantoring of Nick Babey provided the song and chant for the Liturgy. Following the service a congregational dinner was served. The clergy who served the parish were : Rev. Fr. Bodnarchuk Rev. Fr. Hupka Rev. Fr. B. Yakowkewich Rev. Fr. Teterenko Rev. Fr. T. Yakowkewich Rev. Fr. Bodnar Rev. Fr. G. Udod Rev. Fr. Soroka Rev. Fr. Hredil
Rev. S. Jarmus Rev. Fr. Drul
Daughters of the Ukraine ` Ukrainian Women’s Association
The Daughters of the Ukraine Ukrainian Women’s Association was formed in 1936 at which time there were only 15 members with Mary Anaka as president. The primary objective of the organization was to encourage Ukrainian cultural-educational activities within the church community and to assist in the establishment of the Taras Schevchenko National Home. To meet their financial obligation the ladies undertook fund raising activities such as bazaars, teas, and concerts and held theatrical performances. And in support of Canada’s war effort the members served on local committees, worked for the Red Cross and prepared parcels for the servicemen overseas. In 1945 the organization joined the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada. The branch continued to co-ordinate cultural-educational programs such as Sunday School for the betterment of church and community. Members were actively involved in fund-raising to procure church and clergy items such as carpets, priest’s vestments, chandelier and embroidered altar cloths.
Submitted by Russell C. Sawchyn Friday, December 21, 2001 |
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area by 1937. The Orthodox parish was not yet organized so many
travelled to Sheho to attend church services and to bless their Easter
baskets (Paska). It was in Sheho that Mr. Achtemichuk had the opportunity to
become acquainted with Reverend Ulan and to invite him to conduct a service
in Wynyard. In preparation for this event arrangements with permission were
made to hold this and succeeding services in the Anglican Church until the
National Home was completed.