The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Craigend was built in 1945. The historical church site is situated on Range Road 134, just north of the Craigend Hall on Highway 55, about 25 km. from Lac La Biche. The church was about 1,000 square feet in size. Over the past eight decades, the church was the site of many weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
The church had a significant place in the Craigend area since it was built in 1945 and served as a gathering point for the community, according to Carl Beniuk, president of Protection of The Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. “It certainly was part of the community for the last three generations,” Beniuk said. “It certainly served a purpose, and it was well respected throughout the years.”
The community celebrated the 80th birthday of the parish on May 31, 2025,” Kokotilo said, adding the church had continued to be used as a place of worship through the years. The anniversary celebration of the church included Bishop David Matiuk of Edmonton, three priests, a choir, and drew plenty of folks who turned out for occasion.
The church was pretty full,” Beniuk said, adding the celebration also included a banquet which was held at the Craigend Hall following the church service. “It was a real nice gathering.” Attendees shared memories they had of the church through the decades. The church had seen a lot of activity which has also kept the Ukrainian heritage of the area alive.
The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Craigend, which has been a landmark in the agricultural community for just over three quarters of a century, was destroyed in an early morning blaze on July 2, 2025. Preliminary investigation points towards a lightning strike igniting the fire at around 4:50 a.m.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.610282, -111.920646
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – Craigend, AB
The first Ukrainian settlers started arriving from Ukraine in 1902. The church is located 60 km. north of Edmonton. The first church was built in 1904 and the first church members were: S. Gil, J. Sereda, S. Cheknita, N. Woyewidka, J. Strilchuk, Komarnycky, Ozhybko, S. Dasyk, Kostiw, S. Lashkiwsky, N. Kuzyk, Panchiy, Kilarsky, F. Bencharsky, Smerechynsky, O. Zilynsky and Leo Zilynsky. The church was incorporated on June 1, 1934.
A new church building was constructed in 1939 with three domes and a hall under the church. The first visits of our Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Nykyta Budka and Bishop Vasyl Ladyka were in the old church. Presently, there is one Divine Liturgy per month. A cemetery (1 acre) is attached to the church.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.036474, -113.411426
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – Waugh, AB
The Parish was established in 1916 with a Parish council: V. Romaniuk, president; Ivan Romaniuk, secretary and B. Bednarsky, treasurer. The 3 acres of land for the church and the cemetery were purchased in 1918 and the construction of the church (60’ x 40’) was done in the same year by the contractor Yarema Yanishevsky. The church was painted from the inside and outside by P. Lypynsky for $1,500.00.
Originally there were 126 families and their activity was very dynamic in the surrounding district, where a young group of people were singing the Divine Liturgy and performing in the theatre. Most of the pioneers came from Peremyshl and Brody districts. In the beginnings Fr. Naucratius Kryzanowsky was very well known among the people and later on he substituted the clergy on special occasions.
The Basilian Fathers from Mundare were visiting the community: Fr. Ivan Tymochko, who served the first Liturgy on March 2, 1909 in the home of Fedir Plishka; followed by other Basilian Fathers, like Fr. Matthew Hura, Fr. Basil Ladyka, Fr. Ksenofont Rozdolsky, Fr. Josaphat Tymochko, Fr. Porphyrius Bodnar, Fr. Sozont Dyakowich, Fr. George Zydan, Fr. Damascene Popovych, Fr. Basil Kamenetsky, Fr. Theodozy Dobko, Fr. Joseph Senkiw and Fr. Ambrose Wynnyk. Missions were given in 1928 by Fr. Athanasius Filipiw, 1933 by Fr. Sophron Dyakowich and in 1935 by Fr. Andrew Truch.
The Parish had several outstanding and dedicated members, among them Theodore and Eva Lesyk, who for many years provided their home for the Basilian missionaries and were always giving a hand of support for the Ukrainian cultural efforts. Among others we shall remember Petro and Anna Melnyk, Emilian and Olha Fundytus, Dmytro and Francis Kutryk and Leona Kuly.
In 1953 a residence for the clergy was built. The activity of the UCWLC, the Ladies club, was visible and important for the life of the community. The Ukrainian National Hall in Myrnam, affiliated with the parishioners, was an important factor in the life of the Church.
From 1949 the Eparchial clergy provided spiritual assistance to the Parish: Fr. Euthymius Melnychuk (1949-1952), Fr. George Maly (1953-1955), Fr. Theophile Hurko (1956- ), Fr. Michael Gural (1963-1967), Fr. Paul Lysak (1968-1974), Fr. Ivan Makuch (1975-1997), Fr. Richard Zuback (1998), Basilian Fathers (1998-2000), Fr. Slavko Dumeč (2000-2008), Fr. Vasyl Nykyforuk (2008- ).
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GPS Co-ordinates: 53.656037, -111.229635
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 53.63998, -111.20520
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – Myrnam, AB
The church is located 13 km. north and 1.6 km. west from the town of Smoky Lake. The wooden church (38’x22’) with one dome was built in 1913 by M. Rachuk and painted by Matiyash. A bell tower was also built. 4 acres were purchased in 1912: 2 for the church and 2 for the cemetery. Members of the first Parish council were: N. Kashuba, M. Holowaychuk, J. Netsyk, L. Vitiuk, N. Bereziuk, I. Yakymchuk, F. Lottoskyi, S. Boyarchuk and P. Boyarchuk. In 1930 a concrete foundation was added to the structure. In 1914 Bishop Nykyta Budka visited the community; in 1937 Bishop Basil Ladyka; in 1952 Bishop Neil Savaryn. Lately the services were held every two months.
The first priest was a French missionary, an Oblate, who became a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Fr. Philip Ruh, a well-known architect of the Ukrainian churches across Canada.
Eparchial clergy looked after the Parish from 1949: Fr. Yaroslaw Fedunyk (1949-1953), Fr. Volodymyr Slaby (1964-1956), Fr. Michael Gural (1956-1963), Fr. Theophile Hurko (1963-1976), Fr. Michael Kowalchyk (1976-1978), Fr. Philip Shinduke (1979-1984), Fr. Anton Tarasenko (1984-1995), Fr. Serhij Harahuc (1996-1998), Fr. William Hupalo (1999-2000), Fr. Janko Herbut as a deacon 2000-2001, and as a priest from 2001-2008, Fr. Don Bodnar (2008- ).
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.239131, -112.500378
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
