Provincial Heritage Site No. 21
It is generally accepted that this is the first Ukrainian church built in Canada, and is the oldest Ukrainian church in North America. However, there are other Ukrainian churches in western Canada also claiming to be the oldest, based on such considerations as the year founded, the year consecrated, and if still in use.
St. Michael Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church was built by immigrants from Bukowyna (now western Ukraine) after 1896. It is a great showpiece of pioneer craftsmanship in religious decoration and architecture. As it is for all immigrants a church is symbolic of their Canadian identity. It is a focal point of their spiritual and cultural lives.
This church was built in what is now the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn. It was consecrated in 1899. It was served by a Russian Orthodox Mission until 1922 when the parish joined the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. In 1974 the church was designated a Provincial Heritage Site. In 1988 it was recognised as a site of National Historic and Architectural Status.
The original church was used regularly until 1935 when a new church with the same name was built in the nearby village of Gardenton. Since then the old church has been used for services only twice or thrice a year. However, because of its history an annual pilgrimage service was added in 1970.
The Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba erected a commemorative plaque in 1986. Another was erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1987. The church was renovated in the early 2000s as part of the Manitoba Prairie Churches Project.
Descendants of the first settlers continue to faithfully maintain the church and cemetery.
Photographed in 1990.
Included in Testaments of Faith, Manitoba’s Pioneer Churches.