Buchach – Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (closed)

Buchach church of the Patronage of the B.V.M. constructed 1913, 4 miles south-west of Hazel Dell; R.M. 335.

BUCHACH — The church of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first church of the parish.

The founding members of the parish constructed this church in 1913; it was renovated in 1924. Bishop Nicetas Budka visited the church in 1914 and 1918 and blessed it during the first episcopal visitation. The church was also visited by Archbishop Basil Ladyka in 1933 and Bishop Andrew Roborecki in 1952 and 1962.

The wood constructed rectangular church, 33 x 22 feet, has one small cupola above the shingled roof and two one-armed metal crosses at its east and west apexes. In the interior there is only the one main altar, a choir loft at the opposite end and the nave in which wooden pews provide seating for approx. 20 persons. Candles provide the lighting and the church is heated by wood. Construction costs, $900, were covered by generous donations of the parishioners who also worked voluntarily in the construction under the foremanship of Yakiv Rutkovsky (questionnaire 1975); Propam’yatna Knyha lists Danylo Holowachuk. The two acre church and cemetery site was donated by Mykhaylo Mykytyn.

Near the church stands a mission cross dating to 1940. Also in close proximity is a wooden bell tower with one bell which was donated by Anna Holowachuk.

Ukrainian settlers arrived in this area between 1904 and 1906 from the Buchach county after which they named their parish. Initially the settlers were served by the Redemptorist Fathers from Yorkton and holy services were held in private homes particularly in the home of Vasyi’ Dulaka. Later pastors commuted from the Canora and Arran parishes. The founding members of this parish were Mykh. Mykytyn, Petro Chimka, Nyk. Kropodra, Zakhar Yatsyshyn (Yacyshyn) and Stefan Panasiuk. The first Divine Liturgy in the constructed church was celebrated by Rev. Nestor Drohomyrecki. In 1941 the parish registered 15 members with 70 children (Prop. Knyha); in 1961, there were 20 souls (Directory), and in 1975, 7 families and 6 single members remained who often participate in holy services at the Hazel Dell parish.

The Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Buchach, is under the pastoral charge of Preeceville.

“Buchach” the name of the old and historical county city located on the banks of the Strypa River in south-eastern Halychyna. It gained the status of a city in 1558. (J. B. Rudnyckyj: Canadian Place Names of Ukrainian Origin, p. 20).

Update 2003

The church of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the first church of the parish, constructed in 1913. The church was renovated in 1924, 1985 and 2000. Bishop Nicetas Budka visited the church in 1914 and 1918 and blessed it during the first episcopal visitation. The church was also visited by Archbishop Basil Ladyka in 1933 and Bishop Andrew Roborecki in 1952 and 1962.

Construction costs $900 were covered by generous donations of the parishioners who also worked voluntarily in the construction under the
foremanship of Yakiv Rutkovsky. The two acre church and cemetery site was donated by Mykhaylo Mykytyn. Near the church stands a mission cross. Also in close proximity is a wooden bell tower with one bell which was donated by Anna Holowachuk.

Ukrainian settlers arrived in this area between 1904 and 1906 from the Buchach county in Ukraine, after which they named their parish. Buchach is the name of the old historical city located on the banks of the Strypa River in south-eastern Halychyna in Ukraine. It gained status of a city in 1558.

Initially the settlers were served by the Redemptorist fathers from Yorkton and holy services were held in private homes particularly in the home of Vasyi Dulaka. Later pastors commuted from Canora, Arran, Preeceville and Norquay Parishes.

The church is officially closed, and members belong to Preeceville or Hazel Dell parishes. Once a year Fr. J. Rac has Holy Liturgy in this church, and many people come from all over for feast of the church – “praznyk”.