Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. John named a Municipal Historic Resource

Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. John named a Municipal Historic Resource

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Darcy Frunchak and Lorne Lakusta received an early Christmas gift from Lamont County council which officially declared the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. John of Andrew as a municipal historic resource.

Third and final reading of Bylaw 837.21 and the adoption of Municipal Historic Resource Designation Incentives Policy at its Dec. 14 meeting was welcome news for the two gentleman. Lakusta serves as President, and Frunchak serves as Secretary-Treasurer of St. John’s parish board. They say the church currently has six members and is part of the Vegreville District of Ukrainian Orthodox Churches.

“The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St John is very pleased to be named a Municipal Historic Resource within the County of Lamont. The St John Church not only is a recognizable symbol of Ukrainian culture and heritage along HWY 855 between Andrew and Mundare, it played a significant role in the expansion of Ukrainian Greek Orthodox churches West of Winnipeg. Our Church is delighted to be named a Municipal Historic Resource,” stated Frunchak.

Monument in memory of the church’s founding members.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

The church is located approximately two kilometres south of the Village of Andrew, and has played a significant role in the lives of the original settlers through to present day generations. Two of 26 original founding members of the Church back in 1926 were Demetro Frunchak and T. Lakusta.

According to history, the Church was incorporated on Sept. 1, 1926. “This Church was the first Ukrainian west of Winnipeg to hold a Ukrainian language service in Canada. The first missionary Arch Presbyter, the Very Reverend Dr. D.F. Stratychuk conducted the first service in the Ukrainian language on Palm Sunday on March 22, 1920. Suchava was one of the first areas served by Rev. Dr. Gherman and Rev. Dr. Stratychuk in 1920.

Featured artwork.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Frunchak said that according to the St. John Register of Burials the first registered burial at the Church Cemetery was that of Wasyl Bochanesky on January 29, 1928

Frunchak said the Church has a fascinating history which is intertwined with that of St. Michael’s Russo-Greek Orthodox Church that is located directly across the road on the east side of Secondary Highway 855 and it is at that Church that several firsts for the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox (UGOC) were celebrated.

There were also many firsts at the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. John as well. There are many special memories as well as significant religious activities and milestones that have been celebrated at the Church for well over a century.

The current Parish and District Priest is the Very Reverend Father Slawomir Lomaszkiewicz and the District President is Robert Semotiuk.

With the passage of Bylaw 837.21 the Church is qualified for an annual grant of $500 under the Historic Resource Designation Incentives Policy 4153.