The history of the present church dates back to the late 1890s when a group of early settlers, under the leadership of Fr. Nestor Dmytriw (1863–1925), formed the first Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Alberta on May 2, 1897.
Following the Privy Council judgement awarding the original, jointly built Star Church to the Orthodox followers, two parcels of land nearby were donated specifically for a Catholic Church and cemetery. The Catholic followers built their church on one of these parcels, approximately one half-mile south of the present sanctuary. Completed in 1911, this structure went up in flames on Holy Thursday, 1922. Construction of the present cruciform church was completed in 1927 on what had been the second parcel of donated land.
The interior painting was done in 1930 by Peter Lipinski and remains in its original form to this day. Note his skillfully painted wall motifs, including the imitation stonework, faux marble columns and the embroidery-inspired design, which runs along the upper portions of the walls.
Also on display in the church are some items saved from the 1922 fire—on the Tetrapodium are enamelled paintings of Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary and four evangelists, along with two brass clamps from the main Gospel Book. The cross from the dome of the second church was found in the ashes and can be seen hanging as you enter the church.
A stone belfry was built in 1949 under the direction of European stone mason M. Setina. To commemorate Fr. Basil Laba’s mission in 1954, a “Mission Cross” was erected northwest of the church.
See HERE for more information on Peter Lipinski.
Play Memory Eternal Chant
Visit this Cemetery
GPS Co-ordinates: 53.875930, -112.753172
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 53.875854,-112.755360
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
