Ukrainian Orthodox church marks a century

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This article was published 22/06/2024 (460 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 100-year-old Ukrainian Orthodox church in the Wheat City’s north end has had a facelift and is ready for centennial celebrations on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost, on the corner of Stickney Avenue and 11th Street North, has welcomed parishioners since 1924.

Jerry Belinsky, parish president, said the timing was perfect to have the renovations coincide with the church’s 100th anniversary.

“It had to be done,” said Belinsky. “The roof was starting to show weakness and there were spots that were leaking. So, it was just time, and coincidentally was the 100 years. So, we thought, ‘Wow, what a nice tribute to the church and to the founding fathers that built it.’”

Rewind to 1918 and the end of the First World War. The Ukrainian population increased across the country and in Brandon, leading to the establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to the Heritage Brandon website.

Originally, the congregation worshipped at the Greek Cathedral, located at First Street and Lorne Avenue.

In 1924, volunteers built the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost at 55 11th St. North, and the first church service was held that same year.

Today it is recognized as a provincial historic site.

Belinsky said he still marvels at how the new Canadians would have “got the job done” 100 years ago.

“The building is outstanding, which is incredible since there would have been a lack of architectural services and equipment.

“It was the know-how of these immigrants that came from Ukraine that built that church. All the people that came from the old country, with whatever know-how they had,” Belinsky said.

The interior of the church was refurbished 15 years ago. And crews just finished — “we’re talking a week ago” — re-shingling the three domes, or cupolas. They used to be light grey and are now a two-tone blue.

Each dome has a cross on top, and they were faded from the sun and wind, said Belinsky.

“So the church didn’t really stand out, but now with the coloured shingles and the crosses covered in gold colouring … they are very visible now,” he said.

The latest renovation required renting a piece of equipment called a Zoom Boom, which is like a forklift that extends 65 feet in the air.

And all the repair work was done completely by volunteers. Two members of the church repainted the windows and recovered the crosses with a special primer.

To pay for the equipment rental, paint, primer, shingles and additional materials, the church put the word out to parishioners and Belinsky said they had what they needed in seven weeks.

“People just started donating left, right and centre. We raised that money just from our own parishioners. No corporate donations, just people opening up their wallets to keep the church open and protected,” he said.

When asked about a fundraising goal and if it was met, Belinsky said he wants to keep that a surprise one more day.

The dollar amount will be announced Sunday morning to the entire congregation — a congregation, he said, that has been slowly changing.

Several of the church’s early members passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were the “go-to people,” who members relied on for information about the church’s history and the people involved.

“We probably lost seven or eight very important members. Unbelievable,” Belinsky said.

“So, now we have a handful of long-term members, and an entire new generation, which are the Ukrainians that have fled the war in Ukraine.

“They’ve come here and found their so-called church family in our church, and they’re renewing the membership and renewing interest in the church for other people.”

Sunday’s church service is from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by fellowship and a traditional Ukrainian meal.

For the last three years, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost has opened its doors for an event hosted by Heritage Brandon called “Doors Open.”

People are given the opportunity to see buildings of architectural, functional and historical significance throughout the city, including churches.

There are two types of Ukrainian churches in Manitoba — Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox. And while there are many similarities between the two religions, the crosses seen on the roofs are the biggest difference.

The Ukrainian Catholic cross on top of the domes is a regular pole stake and one cross piece.

The Orthodox cross on its domes has three cross-pieces, with the bottom cross piece running at a diagonal.

This summer’s “Doors Open” will be held Aug. 17 and 18 from noon to 4 p.m., the City of Brandon website says.

For more information about “Doors Open,” visit https://brandon.ca/doors-open

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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