Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church – Craigend (UCC)
The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Craigend was built in 1945. The historical church site is situated on Range Road 134, just north of the Craigend Hall on Highway 55, about 25 km. from Lac La Biche. The church was about 1,000 square feet in size. Over the past eight decades, the church was the site of many weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
The church had a significant place in the Craigend area since it was built in 1945 and served as a gathering point for the community, according to Carl Beniuk, president of Protection of The Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. “It certainly was part of the community for the last three generations,” Beniuk said. “It certainly served a purpose, and it was well respected throughout the years.”
The community celebrated the 80th birthday of the parish on May 31, 2025,” Kokotilo said, adding the church had continued to be used as a place of worship through the years. The anniversary celebration of the church included Bishop David Matiuk of Edmonton, three priests, a choir, and drew plenty of folks who turned out for occasion.
The church was pretty full,” Beniuk said, adding the celebration also included a banquet which was held at the Craigend Hall following the church service. “It was a real nice gathering.” Attendees shared memories they had of the church through the decades. The church had seen a lot of activity which has also kept the Ukrainian heritage of the area alive.
The Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Craigend, which has been a landmark in the agricultural community for just over three quarters of a century, was destroyed in an early morning blaze on July 2, 2025. Preliminary investigation points towards a lightning strike igniting the fire at around 4:50 a.m.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.610282, -111.920646
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – Craigend, AB
St. Anthony of Kyiv Ukrainian Catholic Church – New Pine Creek (UCC)
The church is located in tge municipality of Meanook. 40 km. from Athabasca and 22 km. from Colinton. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in 1932 in the house of Mykhaylo Nimko by Fr. Theodor Dobko, OSBM. The church (34’ x 15’) was built in 1945 on the 2-acre parcel donated by Anton Nalesnyk in 1933. Founders of the parish were: Mykhaylo Nimko, Omelian Mykhayliuk, Anton Nalysnyk, Dmytro Pidhirnyi, Oleksa Podyo, Franko Adamkevych, Hryhoriy Beresten, Mykola Voznyi, Petro Khomiy, Mykhaylo Adamkevych, Ivan Adamkevych, Vasyl Nalysnyk.
Later to join the parish were the following families: Andriy Ivanykha, Dmytro Yavnyi, Volodymyr Yavnyi, and Mykola Gidora. The church construction was done by: Oleksa Podyo, Hryhoriy Beresten, and Mykhaylo Adamkevych and the final price was $2,000.00.
The following Basilian Fathers were visiting the community: Fr. Theodozy Dobko, Fr. Methodius Hannas, Fr. Juvenalis Slota, Fr. Gregory Chmilar, Fr. Ireneus Procenty. Later the Eparchial clergy looked after the parish: Fr. Stephen Chabursky, Fr. Bohdan Lozynsky, Fr. Peter Petryshyn (1953-1968) and Fr. Bohdan Karychek (1969-1975). Many times a year the services had to be canceled due to poor road conditions. The younger generation was leaving the district in great numbers, so the community was diminishing rapidly. The grave services continue at the church cemetery to this day.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.468873,-113.181805
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Anthony of Kyiv Ukrainian Catholic Church – New Pine Creek, AB
Sts. Volodymyr and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Church – Smoky Lake (UCC)
The faithful in Smoky Lake and surrounding areas decided to have a church built in their town. The construction took approximately 10 years from 1964 to 1974. Already in July 1970 the church (80’ x 38’ with three small domes in front) was used for the services. Bishop Neil Savaryn blessed the church and congratulated the faithful for their great achievement. The church cemetery is located 800 m. from the church building. Most of the people came from Bukovyna and some from Western Ukraine. In 1964 there were approximately 40 families who elected their building committee: M. Kulchytsky, P. Palichuk, V. Nakonechny, N. Skoropad, V. Vasaraba, N. Kurylo and I. Bodnar. The choir director was Semen Matyshak from Edmonton.
The first Parish priests were Fr. Theophile Hurko (1963-1976), who was the leader behind the new centrally located church, Fr. Michael Kowalchyk (1976-1978), Fr. Philip Shinduke (1979-1984), Fr. Anton Tarasenko (1984-1995), Fr. Serhiy Harahuc (1996-1998), Fr. William Hupalo (1999-2000), Fr. Janko Herbut (2000-2008); Fr. Stanislav Bjeli (2008-2013).
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.1138,-112.479407
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 54.122811, -112.474973
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Volodymyr and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Church – Smoky Lake, AB
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – St. Paul (UCC)
Fr.George Zydan, OSBM, celebrated the first Divine Liturgy on January 7, 1942 in St. Paul. The church (66’ x 28’) was built in the northwestern part of the city between 1947 and 1950. The one acre cemetery was purchased in 1952. The first Parish council consisted of three people: Vasyl Yakimech, M. Pikh and O. Vashchak.
The first Divine Liturgy was held in the Roman Catholic Church basement in 1942 by Fr. Epiphany Paschak, OSBM. The Parish has a dedicated group of UCWLC members. Among many dedicated parishioners the faithful recognized as outstanding were Anna Padleska and Petro Boychuk.
In 1958 there were approx. 100 people in attendance at every Liturgy celebrated once a month. The following Basilian Fathers served the community: Fr. George Zydan (1942- ), and Fr. Sebastian Kurylo (1943- ).
The Eparchial clergy continued from 1949: Fr. Michael Hawryluk (1949), Fr. Michael Gural (1950-1955), Fr. George Maly (1956), Fr. Dmytro Hnat (1957-1980), Fr. Ivan Makuch (1981-1991), Fr. Austin Borynec (1992), Fr. Myron Pyszcz (1993-1996), Fr. Ron Hollohan (1997-1998) and Fr. Roman Dobriansky (1999- ).
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GPS Co-ordinates: 53.993602,-111.299596
Cemetery Co-ordinates: 53.99098, -111.34068
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – St. Paul, AB
Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church – Waugh (UCC)
The first Ukrainian settlers started arriving from Ukraine in 1902. The church is located 60 km. north of Edmonton. The first church was built in 1904 and the first church members were: S. Gil, J. Sereda, S. Cheknita, N. Woyewidka, J. Strilchuk, Komarnycky, Ozhybko, S. Dasyk, Kostiw, S. Lashkiwsky, N. Kuzyk, Panchiy, Kilarsky, F. Bencharsky, Smerechynsky, O. Zilynsky and Leo Zilynsky. The church was incorporated on June 1, 1934.
A new church building was constructed in 1939 with three domes and a hall under the church. The first visits of our Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Nykyta Budka and Bishop Vasyl Ladyka were in the old church. Presently, there is one Divine Liturgy per month. A cemetery (1 acre) is attached to the church.
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GPS Co-ordinates: 54.036474, -113.411426
Affiliation: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton
