THE CONSISTORY OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF CANADA AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ESTABLISH "FRIENDS OF THE ST. MICHAEL’S HISTORICAL UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF GARDENTON, MANITOBA"
NEW: Brochure about the Friends of St. Michael's Historic Church in Gardenton
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At the November 27th, 2009 Consistory meeting, a community delegation of Ukrainian Orthodox members (Donald and Gerald Machnee) and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Historical Matters (Dr. Roman Yereniuk) presented a brief to the Consistory to establish a national committee entitled "FRIENDS OF THE ST. MICHAEL’S UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN GARDENTON". The creation of the committee would be as a historical body to commit to the proper care and diligence in maintaining the Church as the first Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada and to continue to guarantee its historical status as decreed by both the Federal Government and the Province of Manitoba. The Consistory unanimously adopted a motion for the creation of the "FRIENDS" and offered its assistance in its undertakings through the office of the Standing Committee on Historical Matters. The Consistory also agreed to provide income tax receipts for donations in the future.
St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church was started in 1897 when a group of local Ukrainian settlers, from the province of Bukovyna, met with the itinerant American Ukrainian priest - Rev. Nestor Dmytriw on November 21, 1897. He assisted the settlers to apply for a free land grant of twenty acres, known as N.W of Section 28, Township 1, Range 6E for church and cemetery purposes. That fall and winter, logging operations for the Church were started along the Roseau River. Under the supervision of carpenter Wasyl Kekot, forty-four volunteers dedicated themselves to the construction of the church. The church was completed in May 1899 and later that year In October 1899, Rev. Constantine Popoff consecrated the first Ukrainian Orthodox Church building in Canada.
In 1906 the belfry was built, and in 1915 the leaking roof of the church was replaced, and domes were added along with a porch. In 1922, St. Michael's UOC joined the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada and became an early parish of the jurisdiction. At that time over 100 families belonged to the parish.
St. Michael's UOC was located in the rural area of Gardenton, some four kilometers south west from the village and was actively used until 1935. In that year a town church was built in the village of Gardenton. Since then the Historic Church was utilized for services only two or three times a year in the local Mission District. In 1970, due to its historical status, an Annual Pilgrimage Service was added.
The Church and Belfry were restored between 1986 and 1990 and this included major work on the foundation and log walls with costs covered by major grants and donations from the community.
St. Michael's UOC was identified as a historic site by the Province of Manitoba on August 28, 1974 through the dedicated work of John Panchuk. The official designation date was January 29, 1986 (with major signage) Likewise the Historic St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church was designated as a federal historic site on July 2, 1990 with a major cairn placed on its property.
In the last 15 years, the Historic St. Michael's UOC has had one service a year and the annual pilgrimage. Membership and finances have declined significantly, making it difficult for the current members to maintain the buildings and cemetery. The Vita Mission District also is unable to provide major assistance. Thus the reason for the creation of the "Friends of St. Michael’s Historical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Gardenton".
There are already two major booklets on this Church written by John Panchuk and the second by the Manitoba Department of Historic Resources as well a numerous articles. The church has been featured in several historical booklets and collection on Ukrainian Churches in Manitoba and Canada.
The present initiative group hopes to attract some 100 – 150 members from across Canada and USA to join the "Friends" and in so doing to help guarantee the future of the "Historical Church" in southern Manitoba. In addition a major event – a pilgrimage or church visitation is planned for 2010 when Manitoba celebrates its 140th anniversary – probably in July 2010. We hope that friends and guests, along with a reunion of former members and their children and grandchildren come to this festive celebration.
If anyone has information that could be added to the St. Michaels Historical Ukrainian Orthodox Church or would want to become a “Friend” of the Church, please contact:
Donald Machnee
c/o Initiative Group for the Friends of St. Michael’s Historic Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Box 361
Selkirk, Manitoba
RIA 2B3
Members:
Donald Machnee 204 339-2285 email donmac@mts.net
Gerald Machnee 204 757-4745 email machneeg@gmail.com
Dr. Roman Yereniuk 204 586-7089 email yereniuk@cc.umanitoba.ca
Please do not forget St. Michael’s Historic Ukrainian Orthodox Church in your prayers and good deeds!!