Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1923-1925, 4 miles north-west of Alvena; R.M. 402.
ALVENA (farms) — The church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second church of the parish.
The first church was constructed in 1905 on a five acre site four miles north-west of Alvena. It was a small log constructed structure and served the parish until 1923. That year it was dismantled and a new church was constructed on its site. The present church was blessed by Bishop Nicetas Budka in 1925 and visited by Archbishop Basil Ladyka in 1929. On April 14, 1957, Rev. Walter Kostiuk was ordained in this church by Bishop Andrew Roborecki.
The church, constructed between 1923 and 1925, is a wooden cruciform structure measuring 80 x 60 feet. It has an architecturally complementing shingled gable roof, a large central octagonal dome apexed by a cupola and cross, and two front towers also apexed by cupolas. The exterior and interior walls of the church and the drum supporting the central dome are finished in painted narrow wood siding and contain rectangular windows which are arched at the top. A small separately roofed adjoining porch-vestibule precedes the main entrance into the church. In the interior the elevated sanctuary contains the main altar and has two adjoining sacristies which also exit to the church grounds. Behind the main altar and on corresponding sides of the sanctuary along the lateral walls of the nave are traditionally dedicated glass mounted oil prints. Directly opposite the main altar is the choir loft which is reached by a stairway in the nave. The central area of the church is dominated by the large well-illuminated dome, the arms of the cruciform structure have vaulted ceilings. The church contains wooden pews seating approx. 150 persons, is lighted by electricity and has central oil heating.
Construction of the church was accomplished during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Fylyma through the generous voluntary labour and financial donations of the parishioners. Total construction costs were $12,000. Chief foreman was Milko Slonetsky while the architectural plans were drafted by Rev. Peter Pasichnyk. The five acre partly forested church and cemetery site was donated by Andrew Hawryschuk.
Near the church stands a wooden belfry constructed in 1923. The wooden memorial cross nearby was installed during the pioneer days of the parish. In continuation of church property is the parish cemetery. A small chapel on the site was constructed by N. Chyzyk and contains a painting of the Holy Mother of God which the first settlers brought from their Motherland. Also on the parish site, a short distance from the church, stands the “Prosvita” parish hall constructed in 1932 during the pastorate of Rev. Stefan Semczuk.
Ukrainian settlement in this area began in 1899 with settlers from the Borshchiv and Sokal counties. In 1910 the settlers of the Alvena district were honoured with a visit by the Servant of God Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. The founding members of the Alvena farms parish were: N. Chyzyk, T. Kozak, D. Skakun, A. Hawryschuk, I. Kinash and S. Yuzek. The first pastor to visit the settlers was Rev. Wasyi Zholdak.
Between 1902 and 1905, Rev. Mathew Myron Filas, OSBM, founded a Basilian monastery in Alvena and for a short period the Basilian Fathers administered to the spiritual needs of the faithful in the district. The monastery was eventually transferred to Alberta; the monastery structure was purchased by the parishioners and was used as a rectory while the site became the parish cemetery. The second parish cemetery is at the church site one and one-half miles north. During the pastorate of Rev. Stephen Fedoronko, the monastery building was converted into a parish hall and was used as such until it was destroyed by fire.
In 1941 the parish registered 38 members with 100 children (Prop. Knyha), in 1961 there were 35 families and in 1975, 17 families. In 2003 the parish is under the directorship of Rev. Vasyl Hnatkivskyy. Divine Liturgy is celebrated once a year.
The Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Alvena farms, is under the pastoral charge of Cudworth.
Updated December 2020
The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Alvena Farms, falls under the Deanery of Saskatoon, under the pastoral charge of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Eucharist-Cudworth, which is included in the Cudworth District, with Very Reverend Janko Kolosnjaji as Administrator, and served by Reverend Mykola Romanets.
Alvena Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
52°32’58.51″N 106°04’33.32″W
52.549586, -106.075922
Dormition MG Pioneer Cemetery
52°33’54.5″N 106°03’54.9″W
52.565147, -106.065244
St Demetrius Cemetery
52°29’35.59″N 105°56’18.18″W
52.493219, -105.938383
Alvena Farms Dormition MG Cemetery
52°32’49.7″N 106°04’33.2″W
52.547139, -106.075889
Bulletins for Cudworth District Parishes
Cudworth District Parishes Information
Chancellor; Vicar of Eparchial Properties; Cudworth District; Administrator; Eparchial Substitute Priest; Military Chaplain
214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon, SK S7M 2K4
Cell: 306-961-1390
Email: chancellor@skeparchy.org
Alvena, St. Michael the Archangel
St. Julien, Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Deanery (Protopresbyterate) of Saskatoon
DEANERY (Protopresbyterate) OF SASKATOON
SASKATOON: ST. GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL
Nahachewsky, Very Rev. Ivan,
Vicar-General; Vicar of Eparchial Properties; Rector - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George, Saskatoon; Military Chaplain
214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon, SK S7M 2K4
Cell: 306-961-1390, Rectory Office: 306-664-3459
Email: inahachewsky@skeparchy.org
Yamniuk, Deacon Myron
Email: myronyamniuk@gmail.com
10th Street East and Munroe Avenue,
(Church Auditorium) 306-343-0033;
(Res) 1202-11th St. East,
Saskatoon, SK S7H 0G3
Telephone: (Office) 306-343-6516
Email: sspp@sasktel.net
Lukie, Very Rev. Raymond, CSsR, Pastor
Dnistrian, Rev. Dmytro, CSsR, Assistant Pastor & Missionary
Telephone: Cell: 306-361-1555
Whitkow, Ascension of Our Lord
Administrator-Saskatoon: Dormition District
Saskatoon, Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
120-105th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1N2
Telephone:(Church) 306-652-4837;
(Res) 306-477-1704; (Cell) 306-280-2941
Email: alalach@sasktel.net
Borschiv, Ss. Peter and Paul
Hawryliuke, Sacred Heart
Prud'homme, St. John the Evangelist
Smuts/Prymove, St. John the Baptist
Prince Albert, St. George
770 14th Street West
Prince Albert, SK S6V 3M1
Parish office: 306-763-3645
Parish cell: 306-940-8889
Cell: 306-930-9709
Email: stgeorgechurch.pa@gmail.com
Also Serves:
Alvena, St. Michael
Alvena Farms, Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Cudworth, Holy Eucharist (St. Michael’s Haven)
Gronlid, St. Michael
Humboldt, All Saints
Nipawin, All Saints
Rosthern Farms-Adamivka Descent of the Holy Spirit
Rosthern, Ss. Peter and Paul
Sokal, Holy Trinity
St. Julien, Patronage of Blessed Virgin Mary
Tway, Ss. Peter
Wakaw, Sacred Heart
List of Parishes
Albertown - Ss. Peter and Paul
Alticane - St. John the Baptist
Alvena Farms - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Alvena Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Antonivka - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Arran-Vesna -Ss. Peter and Paul
Balcarres - Holy Eucharist (closed)
Bankend - Ascension of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Beaver Dale - Assumption of the BVM
Beckenham -Transfiguration of Our Lord
Bienfait - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed)
Biggar - Sacred Heart (closed)
Birmingham - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Blaine Lake - Our Lady of Perpetual Help (closed)
Bobulynci - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Borshchiv - Ss. Peter and Paul
Broadview - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Bruno - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Buchach - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Buchanan - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Calder - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Candiac - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Carpenter - Ascension of Our Lord
Cecil - Holy Trinity (closed-no church)
Chaplin-Thunder Creek - Ss. Peter and Paul
Chekhiv - Descent of the Holy Ghost
Cudworth Farms -Transfiguration of Our Lord (closed-no church)
Cudworth - Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Cudworth Town - Holy Eucharist
Dana - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Dobrowody - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dnipro (Dnieper) - Transfiguration of Our Lord
Dysart - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Erwood - Blessed Virgin Mary of Succour (closed-no church)
Estevan - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed & sold)
Fosston - St. John the Baptist (closed-no church)
Glen Elder - Danbury - Holy Eucharist
Glentworth - Assumption of the
Goodeve Town - St. Michael the Archangel
Guernsey - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Havryliuke (Prud'homme) - Sacred Heart
Hazel Dell - Ss. Peter and Paul
Hodgeville - Ss. Peter and Paul
Holar (Elfros) - St. Demetrius
Hubbard - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Closed
Hudson Bay - Holy Eucharist (closed & sold)
Hyas Village - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Insinger Farms - Ss. Peter and Paul
Invermay - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Janow Corners-Meath Park - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Jaroslaw - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Jasmin-Doroshi - Immaculate Conception (closed-no church)
Jasmin - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Jedburgh Village - Ss. Peter and Paul
Kelliher - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Closed
Kelliher - St.Vladimir the Great - Closed
Kindersley - St.John the Baptist (Closed-No Church)
Kipling - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Kovalivka-Tiny - Transfigurartion of our Lord
Krasne - St. John Apostle the Theologian
Kulykiv - Holy Eucharist (closed-no church)
Laniwci - St. Volodomyr (2016) - Ascension of our Lord
Lipton-Herzel - Dormition of Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
MacDowall - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed-no church)
Madge Lake (Pelly) St. Michael Camp - Holy Eucharist Church (from Pelly)
Major - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Mamornitz - Virgin of Sorrows Ruthenian Church
Meadow Lake - St. Catherine (closed & sold)
Melfort - Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) [Decommisioned]
Melville - St.George the Martyr
Model Farm - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Montmartre - Ss. Peter and Paul
Moose Jaw - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Nipawin Farms/Silver Pine - Ascension
Nora - Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (closed-no church)
Norquay Farms - Holy Trinity (closed - no church)
Olesha - Sacred Heart of Jesus
Orolow - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Parkerview - St. Nicholas - Closed
Pelly-Holy Eucharist (closed - church moved to Madge Lake, St. Michael's Camp)
Peterson - Descent of the Holy Spirit (closed - sold)
Plain View - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Ponass Lake - St. Michael the Archangel
Porcupine Plain - Ss. Peter and Pau (closed & sold)
Preeceville - Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Prud'homme - St. John the Theologian
Radisson - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rose Valley - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Rosthern Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed)
Rosthern Farms-Adamivka - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Runnymede - Ss. Vladimir and Olga (closed-no church)
Samburg - St. John the Baptist
Saskatoon - Dormition of the Blessed Mother of God
Saskatoon - St. Volodymyr Villa Chapel
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George
Saskatoon - Ukrainian Park - Pike Lake - St. Volodymyr Memorial Church
Sheho Farms - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sheho Village - Christ the King
Shipman Rural - Ss. Peter and Paul
Sich-Krydor - St. Michael's (Demolished 2018; Cemetery only)
Smuts/Prymove - St. John the Baptist
St. Julien - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Pokrov)
St. Philip's - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed-no church)
Stenen - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Stornoway Cemetery (closed-no church)
Stove Creek - St. Elias (closed-no church)
Swift Current - St. John the Baptist (closed & sold)
Tadmore - St. John the Baptist
Tuffnell Village - Holy Trinity (Decommissioned)
Tway Farms - St. Paraskevia (closed-no church)
Tway Town - Ss. Peter and Paul
Vasyliw - Ss. Constantine and Helena
Verigin - St. Nicholas (closed-no church)
Wadena - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Watrous - Holy Mother of God (closed-no church)
Watson - St. George (closed-no church)
Welechko - Presenation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitebeech - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitesand - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Whitkow - Ascension of Our Lord
Willowbrook - Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wishart Farms - St. Michael the Archangel
Wishart Town - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wolverine - Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wroxton-Farms - Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Wroxton-Village - Ss. Peter and Paul (closed-no church)
Yellow Creek - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (No church; cemetery only)