Parish History of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church
The following records were collected, compiled and translated by Dr. Mary Pankiw.
The Ukrainian Pioneers who emigrated from Halychyna (Galacia) in Western Ukraine, and settled in the village of Brooklands (incorporated in 1921), needed their own church. Here, they could worship and preserve their faith, language, traditions and culture. They decided to build their own church, in the most challenging of times, during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Money was scarce for everyone. With hope in their hearts and prayers on their lips, they set out on the greatest of journeys, paved with pennies, nickels and dimes to erect the symbol of their faith.
On December 21, 1931, Holy Ghost Church, the first parish was established, with 10 members in the Village of Brooklands, situated in northwest Winnipeg.
President...............................Eustace Zayets
Vice-President.......................Nicholas Solilak
Financial Secretary................Simeon Burdey
Treasurer...............................John Smerchanski
Auditors.................................Constantine Benzelock, John Kolisnyk, Anthony Fedoronchuk
Building Committee Chair........John Korolyk
Building Committee Co-Chair...Andrew Burkovich
Recorder................................Gabriel Rudyk
In 1932, four lots bordering on Ada Street and Logan Avenue, were transferred to, "The Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parish of The Holy Ghost at Brooklands c/o Basil V. Ladyka, Bishop Chancery, 235 Scotia, Land Titles: Certificate of Title # (C.O.T.) 456344"
This land, purchased by Archbishop Adelard Langevin, O.M.I., (1885-1915) and designated for the building of a Ukrainian Church was granted by, "Roman Catholic Church, Saint Boniface, Manitoba."
The first meeting of the Building Committee was held on August 20th with 22 members present. It was agreed that the building of the church would be done by volunteer labour, and the hours recorded. It was also decided that skilled labour would be paid 60 cents an hour, to which Kost' Marykusta, head of construction agreed. Further, gravel would be delivered at $1.40 per yard by John Korolyk who had a truck.
Among the listed names of members attending this meeting were the following: Messrs Dzjadetski, Smylski, Wowchuk, Wasyl Borys, John Borys, Steve Cyhanchuk, William Dowbenko, Peter Hrynczuk.
In 1933 the first Annual General Meeting was held on January 29th at 5:30pm. Approximately 50 members attended. Rev. Myron Kryvutski opened the meeting with a prayer. He expressed how pleased he was to attend the meeting for the first time. He advised the members not to attack each other, but be attentive to the committee reports. Rev. Kryvutski also encouraged everyone to continue working in harmony and be more generous. He pointed out that although the church was built, there was still much work to be done before it was completed.
Eustace Zayets, president, reported that during the middle of the summer of 1932, the amount of $188.00 was transferred from the original committee to the new one. Also, they received the title to the four lots of land.
February 12, 1933- The Building Committee and the Church Committee both met to audit the financial records and found that everything was in order.
March 12, 1933- The membership fee was established at $2.00 for families and $1.00 for single adult persons. Three months later, the first church picnic was held on the church grounds.
July 2, 1933- The parish celebrated the first anniversary of Holy Ghost Church
July 9, 1933- Rev. Canon Pantelemon Bozyk organized the Children of Mary for the youth
July 16, 1933- Rev. Kalutski reminded the members that winter was approaching and the open spaces in the unfinished church had to be covered. The first to make a contribution, he offered to pay for 10 yards of the gravel @ 85 cents per yard. He invited everyone present to follow his example. Members contributed accordingly and either paid or gave promises.
July 30, 1933- The second picnic held on the church grounds raised a profit of $35.68.
August 13, 1933- Rev. Kalutski called a special meeting to review the donations for gravel and the names of the donors
September 10, 1933- Rev. Kalutski held a meeting to have a Bazaar, and to select men and women to collect prizes. The Bazaar was held over eight days: six days at the Institute of Taras Shevchenko, at 1960 William Avenue, and two days in the church basement. The profit amounted to $415.68.
December 21-22, 1933- Fifteen turkeys were purchased @ $1.00 each for the raffle held at the Christmas Bazaar
January 4, 1934- At a church meeting, carolers were designated to go caroling to various areas: Brooklands, Weston, Fort Rouge, and North Winnipeg. Also, the majority of members voted in favor of a tea to be held, in the near future, in the church basement.
February 11, 1934- It was agreed, at a meeting, that Simeon Burdey receive a cheque for $25.00 for his labour on the church and bell tower.
June 10, 1934- The third church picnic was held on the church grounds. The donations for prizes included a rooster donated by one of the members. After the picnic, at a short meeting, Steve Skromeda agreed to paint the church roof for $32.50 with his own paint.
July 9-10 1934- Electricity was installed in the church but included only the wiring. The contractor agreed to do the installation for $130.00 but requested $143.00 be entered into the records to include his donation.
December 9, 1934- The Annual General Meeting was attended by approximately 45 members and Rev. Charney who stressed the urgency of completing the inside of the church.
December 14, 1934- The church committee decided to order lumber on December 18, 1934 at a meeting with Rev. Charney in attendance. It was also agreed that Simeon Burdey be paid 25 cents an hour. Volunteer labour was to be recorded.
December 30, 1934- Mr. Dzjadetski was elected time keeper and recorder of volunteer labour.
January 27, 1935- A parish "Zabava" was held in the afternoon at 1913 Ross Avenue, the residence of Simeon Burdey and his family. The men were responsible for providing the tea and the women the food.
June 23, 1935- A total of 58 children and youth (15 boys and 43 girls) celebrated their first Holy Communion Day with Rev. Charney. The Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) taught catechism, and prepared children for their first Holy Communion. They also taught Ukrainian church hymns, and Ukrainian language heritage classes.
July 2, 1935- It was agreed , at a meeting , that members who worked more than 100 hours, during the building of the church, receive free membership for two years.
December 28, 1935- Rev. Shumay conducted the meeting, and expressed interest in visiting the students in Ukrainian classes at the church once a week.
February 1, 1936- It was decided to hold a "zabava" for the church carolers one evening at Simeon Burdey's residence, 1913 Ross Avenue.
March, 1936- Rev. Truh gave the first mission, which was held for one week during Lent. The end of the mission was followed by the blessing of the cross, which was erected on the church grounds.
December 20, 1936- Rev. Shumay opened the Annual General Meeting with a prayer. In addition to the committee reports, the treasurer reported that the church income was $1037.23 and expenses were $1006.80. A balance of $30.33 remained. The cantor's pay was raised from $1.50 to $2.00 each Sunday.
January 16, 1937- It was reported, at a church committee meeting that the outstanding bill of $180.00 was paid in full to Brown and Rutherford.
March 7, 1937- Rev. Shumay opened this special meeting with a prayer. Three church members were elected unanumously to be school trustees of, "Ridna Shkola" of Ukrainian language heritage classes. They were Anthony Fedoronchuk, Irene Hrynczuk, and John Kolisnyk.
September 6, 1937- The sisters who taught Ukrainian classes were paid $10.00 a month.
December 12, 1937- Rev. M. Syrnyk opened the Annual General Meeting with a prayer with 27 members in attendance. The meeting was to continue at a later date due to a significant agenda.
November, 1938- The parish purchased a house, located at 3 Ada Street, as a residence for Rev. Peter Servetnyk, the first full-time priest.
December 31, 1938- The parish decided to use envelopes for the collection of Sunday Offerings.
February 26, 1939- Kost' Benzelock and Simeon Burdey offered to build a confessional.
March 26, 1939- The second mission was held during Lent .
October 21, 1939- A celebration was held to mark the 7th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.
1940- Jacob Maydanyk painted the icons, the ornamental figures and designs on the walls and the silvery stars on the blue ceiling, The priest's residence was built of the church grounds. The congregation consisted of 50 members and 100 children and youth.
November 3, 1940- The decision to follow the Gregorian calendar was made at a special meeting with 30 families present.
During the 1940's Rev. Volodymyr Bozyk taught students catechism at Brooklands School once a week, from 3:30-4:00pm. Rev. Joseph Cormylo continued this service in the 1950's.
1945- The parish purchased St. David's Anglican Church (on the east side of Ada Street at Logan Anvenue) which became known as the Holy Ghost Hall.
CHURCH RECORDS UNOBTAINABLE FROM DECEMBER 1950-DECEMBER 1972
1975- The parish purchased Patterson's Ranch House, at 120 Keewatin Street, which became known as Holy Ghost Ukrainian Centre.
November 25, 1979- The last Bingo game played at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Centre was on a Sunday.
February 6, 1980- At the Annual General Meeting, attended by 18 members, it was reported that the former Patterson's Ranch House was sold for $65,000.00.
March 29, 1981- At a special meeting, attended by 24 members, a motion was passed to purchase stained glass windows for the church.
1982- Interior and exterior church renovations amounted to $80,000. The walls which were covered with ornamental figures and designs were covered with wood paneling. The silvery stars on the ceiling were covered with white paint. The hardwood floor was covered with linoleum except for the carpeting around the altar and the sacristy. The angels on the wall behind the altar were covered over with wallpaper. Fourteen wooden pews, seating six persons each, replaced the former wooden pews.
In 1988, the parish executive consisted of: Rev. Stephen Hrycheniuk, Michael Tataryn, Steve Zelinski, Bert Borys, Alex Borys, Fred Kruk, Eugene Kozier and Anne Huminuk 1994- A safe was purchased to protect church documents and records.
1997- New linoleum tiles were laid on the basement floor.
1998- Red carpeting was installed, replacing the former gold carpeting from the 1982 renovation, in the sacristy and around the altar,
2000- A commemorative celebration of pioneers was held together with the blessing of the cross which was replaced at the north side of the church.
In 2007, the parish executive consisted of Rev. Bohdan Borowec, Harry Hawryshko, Thomas Boyechko, Andrew Pankiw, Hazel Borodey and Alex Borys.
**NOTE**
Metropolitan Maxim Hermanuik made his pastoral visitations of March 6, 1960; May 2, 1965; November 25, 1975; and December 6 1981.
Organizations that worked with the parish executive include the Sisterhood of St. Anne, whose first president was Mary Solilak and first secretary, Irene Hrynczuk, the Brotherhood of St. John the Baptist, the Children of Mary and in 1945, the Ukrainian Catholic Womens League of Canada was created, whose first president was Anne Black and first secretary Olga Sobchuk. In 2006, the UCWLC Holy Ghost Branch celebrated its 60th anniversary. We are sorry to say that the UCWLC Holy Ghost Branch no longer exists.
Holy Ghost Church was built by Kost' Marykutsa, Kost' Benzelock and Simeon Burdey. It cost $4,000 to build the parish. Mr. Baritsky constructed the domes for $250.00. The three crosses on top of the cupolas cost $115.00. The wooden rectangular church, measuring 52' x 32' with 3 cupolas, was erected on a high steel reinforced concrete foundation within the parish hall is located. The bell tower, with one bell, is located just south-east of the church. To the north-east stands the Crucifix on the masonry base. Also, nearby, stands a memorial dedicated to to the Millenium of Christianity in Ukraine.
The 60th Anniversary of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church was celebrated at the Brooklands Senior Centre (Brooklands Pioneer Senior's Club) 1960 William Avenue in 1992. The 65th and 70th anniversaries were celebrated in the parish hall, in 1997, and 2002 respectively.
Copyright by Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. Researched and compiled by Dr. Mary Pankiw, 2007.
The Ukrainian Pioneers who emigrated from Halychyna (Galacia) in Western Ukraine, and settled in the village of Brooklands (incorporated in 1921), needed their own church. Here, they could worship and preserve their faith, language, traditions and culture. They decided to build their own church, in the most challenging of times, during the Great Depression of the 1930's. Money was scarce for everyone. With hope in their hearts and prayers on their lips, they set out on the greatest of journeys, paved with pennies, nickels and dimes to erect the symbol of their faith.
On December 21, 1931, Holy Ghost Church, the first parish was established, with 10 members in the Village of Brooklands, situated in northwest Winnipeg.
President...............................Eustace Zayets
Vice-President.......................Nicholas Solilak
Financial Secretary................Simeon Burdey
Treasurer...............................John Smerchanski
Auditors.................................Constantine Benzelock, John Kolisnyk, Anthony Fedoronchuk
Building Committee Chair........John Korolyk
Building Committee Co-Chair...Andrew Burkovich
Recorder................................Gabriel Rudyk
In 1932, four lots bordering on Ada Street and Logan Avenue, were transferred to, "The Ruthenian Greek Catholic Parish of The Holy Ghost at Brooklands c/o Basil V. Ladyka, Bishop Chancery, 235 Scotia, Land Titles: Certificate of Title # (C.O.T.) 456344"
This land, purchased by Archbishop Adelard Langevin, O.M.I., (1885-1915) and designated for the building of a Ukrainian Church was granted by, "Roman Catholic Church, Saint Boniface, Manitoba."
The first meeting of the Building Committee was held on August 20th with 22 members present. It was agreed that the building of the church would be done by volunteer labour, and the hours recorded. It was also decided that skilled labour would be paid 60 cents an hour, to which Kost' Marykusta, head of construction agreed. Further, gravel would be delivered at $1.40 per yard by John Korolyk who had a truck.
Among the listed names of members attending this meeting were the following: Messrs Dzjadetski, Smylski, Wowchuk, Wasyl Borys, John Borys, Steve Cyhanchuk, William Dowbenko, Peter Hrynczuk.
In 1933 the first Annual General Meeting was held on January 29th at 5:30pm. Approximately 50 members attended. Rev. Myron Kryvutski opened the meeting with a prayer. He expressed how pleased he was to attend the meeting for the first time. He advised the members not to attack each other, but be attentive to the committee reports. Rev. Kryvutski also encouraged everyone to continue working in harmony and be more generous. He pointed out that although the church was built, there was still much work to be done before it was completed.
Eustace Zayets, president, reported that during the middle of the summer of 1932, the amount of $188.00 was transferred from the original committee to the new one. Also, they received the title to the four lots of land.
February 12, 1933- The Building Committee and the Church Committee both met to audit the financial records and found that everything was in order.
March 12, 1933- The membership fee was established at $2.00 for families and $1.00 for single adult persons. Three months later, the first church picnic was held on the church grounds.
July 2, 1933- The parish celebrated the first anniversary of Holy Ghost Church
July 9, 1933- Rev. Canon Pantelemon Bozyk organized the Children of Mary for the youth
July 16, 1933- Rev. Kalutski reminded the members that winter was approaching and the open spaces in the unfinished church had to be covered. The first to make a contribution, he offered to pay for 10 yards of the gravel @ 85 cents per yard. He invited everyone present to follow his example. Members contributed accordingly and either paid or gave promises.
July 30, 1933- The second picnic held on the church grounds raised a profit of $35.68.
August 13, 1933- Rev. Kalutski called a special meeting to review the donations for gravel and the names of the donors
September 10, 1933- Rev. Kalutski held a meeting to have a Bazaar, and to select men and women to collect prizes. The Bazaar was held over eight days: six days at the Institute of Taras Shevchenko, at 1960 William Avenue, and two days in the church basement. The profit amounted to $415.68.
December 21-22, 1933- Fifteen turkeys were purchased @ $1.00 each for the raffle held at the Christmas Bazaar
January 4, 1934- At a church meeting, carolers were designated to go caroling to various areas: Brooklands, Weston, Fort Rouge, and North Winnipeg. Also, the majority of members voted in favor of a tea to be held, in the near future, in the church basement.
February 11, 1934- It was agreed, at a meeting, that Simeon Burdey receive a cheque for $25.00 for his labour on the church and bell tower.
June 10, 1934- The third church picnic was held on the church grounds. The donations for prizes included a rooster donated by one of the members. After the picnic, at a short meeting, Steve Skromeda agreed to paint the church roof for $32.50 with his own paint.
July 9-10 1934- Electricity was installed in the church but included only the wiring. The contractor agreed to do the installation for $130.00 but requested $143.00 be entered into the records to include his donation.
December 9, 1934- The Annual General Meeting was attended by approximately 45 members and Rev. Charney who stressed the urgency of completing the inside of the church.
December 14, 1934- The church committee decided to order lumber on December 18, 1934 at a meeting with Rev. Charney in attendance. It was also agreed that Simeon Burdey be paid 25 cents an hour. Volunteer labour was to be recorded.
December 30, 1934- Mr. Dzjadetski was elected time keeper and recorder of volunteer labour.
January 27, 1935- A parish "Zabava" was held in the afternoon at 1913 Ross Avenue, the residence of Simeon Burdey and his family. The men were responsible for providing the tea and the women the food.
June 23, 1935- A total of 58 children and youth (15 boys and 43 girls) celebrated their first Holy Communion Day with Rev. Charney. The Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) taught catechism, and prepared children for their first Holy Communion. They also taught Ukrainian church hymns, and Ukrainian language heritage classes.
July 2, 1935- It was agreed , at a meeting , that members who worked more than 100 hours, during the building of the church, receive free membership for two years.
December 28, 1935- Rev. Shumay conducted the meeting, and expressed interest in visiting the students in Ukrainian classes at the church once a week.
February 1, 1936- It was decided to hold a "zabava" for the church carolers one evening at Simeon Burdey's residence, 1913 Ross Avenue.
March, 1936- Rev. Truh gave the first mission, which was held for one week during Lent. The end of the mission was followed by the blessing of the cross, which was erected on the church grounds.
December 20, 1936- Rev. Shumay opened the Annual General Meeting with a prayer. In addition to the committee reports, the treasurer reported that the church income was $1037.23 and expenses were $1006.80. A balance of $30.33 remained. The cantor's pay was raised from $1.50 to $2.00 each Sunday.
January 16, 1937- It was reported, at a church committee meeting that the outstanding bill of $180.00 was paid in full to Brown and Rutherford.
March 7, 1937- Rev. Shumay opened this special meeting with a prayer. Three church members were elected unanumously to be school trustees of, "Ridna Shkola" of Ukrainian language heritage classes. They were Anthony Fedoronchuk, Irene Hrynczuk, and John Kolisnyk.
September 6, 1937- The sisters who taught Ukrainian classes were paid $10.00 a month.
December 12, 1937- Rev. M. Syrnyk opened the Annual General Meeting with a prayer with 27 members in attendance. The meeting was to continue at a later date due to a significant agenda.
November, 1938- The parish purchased a house, located at 3 Ada Street, as a residence for Rev. Peter Servetnyk, the first full-time priest.
December 31, 1938- The parish decided to use envelopes for the collection of Sunday Offerings.
February 26, 1939- Kost' Benzelock and Simeon Burdey offered to build a confessional.
March 26, 1939- The second mission was held during Lent .
October 21, 1939- A celebration was held to mark the 7th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.
1940- Jacob Maydanyk painted the icons, the ornamental figures and designs on the walls and the silvery stars on the blue ceiling, The priest's residence was built of the church grounds. The congregation consisted of 50 members and 100 children and youth.
November 3, 1940- The decision to follow the Gregorian calendar was made at a special meeting with 30 families present.
During the 1940's Rev. Volodymyr Bozyk taught students catechism at Brooklands School once a week, from 3:30-4:00pm. Rev. Joseph Cormylo continued this service in the 1950's.
1945- The parish purchased St. David's Anglican Church (on the east side of Ada Street at Logan Anvenue) which became known as the Holy Ghost Hall.
CHURCH RECORDS UNOBTAINABLE FROM DECEMBER 1950-DECEMBER 1972
1975- The parish purchased Patterson's Ranch House, at 120 Keewatin Street, which became known as Holy Ghost Ukrainian Centre.
November 25, 1979- The last Bingo game played at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Centre was on a Sunday.
February 6, 1980- At the Annual General Meeting, attended by 18 members, it was reported that the former Patterson's Ranch House was sold for $65,000.00.
March 29, 1981- At a special meeting, attended by 24 members, a motion was passed to purchase stained glass windows for the church.
1982- Interior and exterior church renovations amounted to $80,000. The walls which were covered with ornamental figures and designs were covered with wood paneling. The silvery stars on the ceiling were covered with white paint. The hardwood floor was covered with linoleum except for the carpeting around the altar and the sacristy. The angels on the wall behind the altar were covered over with wallpaper. Fourteen wooden pews, seating six persons each, replaced the former wooden pews.
In 1988, the parish executive consisted of: Rev. Stephen Hrycheniuk, Michael Tataryn, Steve Zelinski, Bert Borys, Alex Borys, Fred Kruk, Eugene Kozier and Anne Huminuk 1994- A safe was purchased to protect church documents and records.
1997- New linoleum tiles were laid on the basement floor.
1998- Red carpeting was installed, replacing the former gold carpeting from the 1982 renovation, in the sacristy and around the altar,
2000- A commemorative celebration of pioneers was held together with the blessing of the cross which was replaced at the north side of the church.
In 2007, the parish executive consisted of Rev. Bohdan Borowec, Harry Hawryshko, Thomas Boyechko, Andrew Pankiw, Hazel Borodey and Alex Borys.
**NOTE**
Metropolitan Maxim Hermanuik made his pastoral visitations of March 6, 1960; May 2, 1965; November 25, 1975; and December 6 1981.
Organizations that worked with the parish executive include the Sisterhood of St. Anne, whose first president was Mary Solilak and first secretary, Irene Hrynczuk, the Brotherhood of St. John the Baptist, the Children of Mary and in 1945, the Ukrainian Catholic Womens League of Canada was created, whose first president was Anne Black and first secretary Olga Sobchuk. In 2006, the UCWLC Holy Ghost Branch celebrated its 60th anniversary. We are sorry to say that the UCWLC Holy Ghost Branch no longer exists.
Holy Ghost Church was built by Kost' Marykutsa, Kost' Benzelock and Simeon Burdey. It cost $4,000 to build the parish. Mr. Baritsky constructed the domes for $250.00. The three crosses on top of the cupolas cost $115.00. The wooden rectangular church, measuring 52' x 32' with 3 cupolas, was erected on a high steel reinforced concrete foundation within the parish hall is located. The bell tower, with one bell, is located just south-east of the church. To the north-east stands the Crucifix on the masonry base. Also, nearby, stands a memorial dedicated to to the Millenium of Christianity in Ukraine.
The 60th Anniversary of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church was celebrated at the Brooklands Senior Centre (Brooklands Pioneer Senior's Club) 1960 William Avenue in 1992. The 65th and 70th anniversaries were celebrated in the parish hall, in 1997, and 2002 respectively.
Copyright by Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. Researched and compiled by Dr. Mary Pankiw, 2007.