Before the first log church was constructed at Moskalyk’s (Spas Moskalyk), Peter Siracky, a founding member of that church, often hosted religious services in his home for family and neighbours. In 1940, in appreciation of their new-found freedom and love of the church, he commissioned three stonemasons to build an all-stone chapel on a 0.04-acre parcel of land on the northeast corner of his property. The chapel, constructed in traditional European style, is known as the “Church of the Weary Traveller” or the “Church of the Road”. It is a walk-in chapel, about eight feet wide by twelve feet long with a round domed (stone) ceiling. Upon the altar is a statue of St. Bernadette as she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes.
The chapel was consecrated by Fr. Marko Romanowich, O.S.B.M., on August 28, 1940 and was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Ukrainian pioneers to Canada (1891–1941). On August 5, 1990, the chapel was rededicated to the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlers in Canada with the ceremony being officiated by the Basilian Fathers.
St. Bernadette of Lourdes was a French nun who lived in the 1800s. As a young teenager, she had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in the Massabielle grotto, ultimately leading to the founding of the shrine of Lourdes.
Watch this video to learn more about St. Bernadette.
GPS Co-ordinates: 53.621476, -112.262722
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Siracky Chapel – Mundare, AB
The Limestone Lake congregation of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel was formed in 1898 by a handful of early settlers. Services were held in private homes for six years until a humble place of worship was completed. All of the faithful members volunteered, helping to haul and trim logs, raising the walls then filling the spaces between with moss and clay. The roof was framed with lumber and shingles and a metal dome was added.
This small pioneer structure served the congregation until it burned down in the late 1930s. In 1939 the present church was built, once again with the hard work of its committed members.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 53.889090, -112.529145
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church – Limestone Lake, AB
In 1914 a small chapel was built on this land. Construction of the present sanctuary began in 1918 and it was officially incorporated eight years later as the “Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Leeshore”.
The church was constructed in the Byzantine style, using the stone that was plentiful in this area. In 1924 the inside of the church, including the side altars, was finished by Phillip Pawliuk. The painting of the icons and walls was completed in 1928 by Peter Lipinski. A church bell was donated in 1930 and the bell tower was erected in 1938.
See HERE for more information on Peter Lipinski.
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Visit this Cemetery
GPS Co-ordinates: 53.999074, -112.827889
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church – Leeshore, AB
From 1898 to 1915 about forty immigrant families settled in the area now known as Krakow. Most of them were from the Western Ukrainian villages of Brody and Chortkiv and were devout Catholics. In 1911 a group of families resolved to purchase four acres of land to be used as a cemetery. In 1917 this land was incorporated as the “Ruthenian Catholic Church of Zawale”, named after the nearest rural post office, and was blessed by the Basilian Fathers that same year.
A chytalnia (cultural centre or hall), built in 1915 four miles away from this cemetery, was sold to the newly formed church group and moved to its present location, where alterations were made to convert it into a place of worship.
The Basilian Fathers conducted services in this sanctuary for an annual payment of $15.00. The church was expanded in 1924 and a cupola added. The following year Peter Lipinski and Phillip Matiash painted the interior and exterior. A stainless steel cross was erected in 1981 and a monument to the original founders and pioneers was also dedicated.
See HERE for more information on Peter Lipinski.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 53.766753, -112.405571
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 53.766531, -112.404649
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
