The Ukrainian settlers first arrived in the Kopernick area in 1903. A Ukrainian Catholic mission parish dedicated to the Ascension of our Lord was established on this 40-acre parcel of land in 1904. It was initially served by the Basilian Fathers from their Monastery in Mundare, Alberta. The first church, a simple log structure, burnt down several months after its completion. It was replaced by a second building in 1905.
A much larger church was built in 1914 to accommodate the growing community. Sadly, it too was destroyed by fire in the early hours of December 31, 1951. The cross displayed onsite was one of the few artifacts salvaged from that fire. The cross was twisted and warped by the intense heat. However, it was meticulously restored to its original condition for the Parish's centenary celebrations in 2004.
The present church was built by the parishioners of Kopernick in 1954. On June 20, 2004, His Excellency Bishop Lawrence Huculak, OSBM celebrated a Pontifical Divine Litury commenorating the 100th anniversary of the Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Parish at Kopernick.
Play Memory Eternal Chant
GPS Co-ordinates: 53.061063, -112.138313
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 53.06038, -112.13871
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
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