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Wi ndham Jou rna l

COLUMBIA-GREENE MEDIA

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022 The stately Ukrainian Church

By Dede Terns-Thorpe

For Columbia-Greene Media

I wanted to submit the second part of last week’s column but felt it more important to again share information on the Ukrainian Church, just outside of Hunter. Most readers feel the same way about what is happening in Ukraine; it’s difficult to watch and impossible to understand. (Part of the following information is from an undated Windham Journal article.)

Five miles west of Hunter Village is the home of an exceptional-looking Catholic Church, the St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. Built on the north side of Route 23A, Hunter’s neighbor to the northwest and located in Jewett. You must see it in person to grasp its distinctiveness and beauty and how it fits into the surroundings. Its location is just past the intersection of Route 23A and County Route 17, just past the Xenia; a delightful restaurant [make a reservation] with a wonderful Saturday Ukrainian buffet.

A description found on the website, Brama, said St. John’s the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Eastern Rite is both a spiritual and a cultural center for Ukrainians in the United States. It was built in 1962 in the traditional (but modified) timber blockwork style.

Brama explained the grounds, the builders, the architects, and the many other people involved in the undertaking.

“On August 14, 1960, John Kobziar organized a meeting of local Ukrainian American residents and property owners in the neighboring area. Kobziar owned the “Xenia Tourist Home” near routes 17 (the road leading to Jewett center) and 23A. The group formed the “Temporary Committee for the construction of the Ukrainian Catholic Chapel in the Vicinity of Hunter, N.Y.” The name was soon shortened to the “Temporary Committee” and chaired by Mr. Kobziar. It was May 21, 1961, when they accepted the submitted sketch design of the wooden chapel of a three-dimensional structure. (Much of this information is from the Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church website). (Oshanna Kobziar, a striking-looking, bright daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kobziar, graduated from HTC not long after the church was completed in 1962. Oksana, with their home next door, watched the daily progress of the church.)

“Ukrainian Church at Hunter Serves Over 100 Families”

“Saint John’s was consecrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. by the Right Reverend Joseph Shmondiuk, Bishop of a diocese that includes New York State and New England. After the consecration ceremonies, the bishop celebrated Mass according to the colorful Byzantine rite. A total of twenty-four priests took part in the first Mass held in the church.

Over 2,000 persons were present to witness the rites, some coming from Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and Toronto, Canada.

The church, built as a memorial to the more than 2,000 Ukrainian archbishops, bishops, and priests martyred by the Communists in Ukraine, is the only one of its kind in the United States. Constructed of hand-hewn red cypress put together with dowels throughout, it is an exact copy of the Ukrainian Catholic Churches of the Carpathian Mountains, now all destroyed.

The completed structure cost just $40,000 (about $347,712.00 in 2021). Many Ukrainians contributed their labor and materials.

The church will serve over 100 families mainly settled in the Schoharie valley between Hunter and Lexington.

Following the religious ceremonies, a dinner for 270 persons was held at John Kobziar’s Xenia Motel. St. George’s choir sang the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian at the beginning of the dinner and presented a selection of Ukrainian folk songs afterward. A troupe of 14 girls and boys from Hempstead, L. I., under the direction of Mr. Petrina, entertained the guests with a series of Ukrainian folk dancers.

Father Barnych, the toastmaster at the dinner, introduced the keynote speaker, former Assemblyman Stephen Jarema, representative of the Ukrainian Congress committee; Bishop Shmondink commented on the many recreational facilities built into new homes as contrasted to the complete absence of a place in the home for prayer. “We have televisions rooms, game rooms, playrooms, even bars,” remarked the bishop; “why not a prayer room?”

Mr. Lesawer, president of the Ukrainian National Association, extended greetings; Dr. Pushkar, of the Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics in Philadelphia; and Fr. John Tracy, of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Haines Falls, extended the hospitality of his church’s facilities. Dr. Ivan Makarewycz welcomed the clergy and people in the name of the new church, and its new pastor-administrator, Fr. Osidiach, extended thanks to all.”

The new church was built under the supervision of Jurij Kosliw of South Jewett.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.

West Kill/Lexington Community Improvement Association annual meeting to be held May 21

By Chris Dwon

For Columbia-Greene Media

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March — the month where you can have winter, spring, winter, spring. Bet those spring birds were wondering why they came back so soon. But most of the time, the birds come back, the spring flowers start to peek out of the ground and then it storms. And so it goes. We get through it knowing eventually the winter storms will end and spring will be beautiful.

March 19 there is a chicken barbecue at the Ashland Fire Department, State Route 23, Ashland. Chicken is coming off the grill at 11:30 a.m., no reservations, first come, first served. Halves are $8, take out only. All proceeds will be donated to the family of Deputy Kevin Haverly, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W., Feb. 28, 2017.

I read in Lula Anderson’s Ashland Speaks column you can drive around the Ashland Fire Department lot on the day of the March 19 chicken barbecue and there will also be a bake sale sponsored b y t h e A s h l a n d C o m m unity Church. So, pick up your chicken and dessert at the same time.

Happy birthday to Nancy Albanese on March 17. March 18 is John Klein’s birthday. Kevin Aurigema celebrates his birthday on March 19. Happy wedding anniversary on March 19 to Lori and Skip Dippold. March 22 Joyce Steiner has her birthday. Also celebrating his birthday on March 22 is Michael Falke. Lynn Byrne’s birthday is March 23. March 23 is Susan Turk’s birthday. Best wishes to all.

The last Friday and Saturday of every month is a book sale at the Hunter Public Library, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Fill a paper bag with books for $5.

Call 518-734-3040 to order your take out dinners at the Hensonville Firehouse, 432 State Route 296, available during Lent — March 18, 25 and April 1, 8, 15 (Good Friday). Your choice of fish or clams, o r c h i c k e n t e n d e r s w i t h french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, dinner roll, brownie or cookie while supplies last. Only $10 per meal, take out only. Orders will be picked up in the truck bay so there is space to social distance.

The following is the weekly nutrition menu offered by Greene County Department of Human Services Senior Nutrition Program for the week of March 21 – March 25: Monday—Sloppy Joes, cauliflower, corn, tropical fruit; Tuesday—Chicken Dijon, Italian mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, pineapple; Wednesday—Hot turkey dinner with gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed p o t a t o e s , p u m p k i n p i e ; Thursday—Pork chop with gravy and applesauce, sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, fresh fruit; Friday—Eggplant Parmesan, Italian mixed vegetables, tossed salad, linguini, fresh fruit. The menu will be the meal that is delivered to all Greene County homebound meal clients. All persons over the age of 60 can receive a meal. Meals served at noon for a suggested donation of $4 per meal. Those wishing to receive a meal are required to call the respective location at least a day in advance: Jewett Municipal Building, Route 23C, Jewett, 263-4392; Acra Community Center, Old Route 23B, Cairo, 622-9898; Rivertown Senior Center, 39 Street, Athens, 845-2700. If you wish to pick up a lunch at the Robert Antonelli Senior Center in Catskill, please call, at least a day in advance, the Rivertown Senior Center to reserve.

Here is something to look forward to. The Maple Brunch that will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 10 at the West Kill/ Lexington Community Hall, 141 Spruceton Road, West Kill. Lots of delicious food featuring local maple syrup. Adults are $12 and children under 5 are free. Everyone is welcome.

The Town of Lexington Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. April 12 in the Firemen’s Room.

Easter Sunday is April 17. Locations and times of Easter Services to be announced.

The annual meeting of t h e W e s t K i l l / L e x i n g t o n C o m m u n i t y I m p r o v e m e n t Association will be held at 4 p.m. May 21 in the Community Hall, 141 Spruceton Road, West Kill. You are invited to come early for coffee and cake. The hall will be open at 3 p.m. Financial reports, minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings and other documents will be there for you to read. The proposed changes to the Association Bylaws will be available to read and will be up for a vote during the meeting. There will be elections to the Board of Directors. The proposed amendments to the Bylaws are to update the older document.

The hope is lots of residents will come and bring ideas and suggestions for the Association. All paid up members of the Association may vote. If you are not sure if you are a member, come early and check the membership list. You may pay your dues at the meeting and be able to vote.

The new windows have been installed in the Community Hall and we want to thank all who contributed to the Window Fund. Donations to the Window Fund are still welcome. At the annual meeting on May 21, the plaques will be unveiled thanking Window Fund donors. All are welcome.

A Roast Beef Dinner hosted by the Ashland Fire Department, Route 23, Ashland, will be held on April 30 with take outs starting at 4:30 p.m. and you may dine in and be served at 5 p.m. The adult dinner is $15, children 5-12 are $8 and under 5 years are free.

Happy first day of Spring on March 20!

Prayers for all who are dealing with illnesses, loss and difficulties. Prayers for all the healthcare providers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, essential and frontline workers, our military, their families, our country, the world. Prayers for Ukraine.

If you have a roof over your head, food in the pantry, heat, you are blessed. If you and your family and loved ones are safe, you are blessed. Be thankful, courteous and kind to one another, your act of kindness by change someone’s life.

Over 15 of our own brewed beers on tap, including seasonal ales, IPA’s, porters, stouts, and lagers. Growlers and 4-pack cans to go available.