The Church of St. George the Martyr constructed 1939 in easterly Melville; P.M. 214.

MELVILLE — The church of St. George is the second church of the parish.

The first church was constructed in 1916; on March 10 of that year it was blessed by Bishop Nicetas Budka. The church served the parish for twenty-three years; in 1939 it was sold and the second church was constructed. Bishop Andrew Roborecki made several episcopal visitations to the parish and last visited the faithful and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the church on July 16, 1971.

The church stands in easterly Melville. It is a masonry cruciform structure, 70 x 36 feet, with three domes; the large central dome is apexed by a cupola and cross, the two smaller domes above the front towers are also apexed by crosses. The walls of the church including the drum of the central dome contain elongated rectangular windows with semicircular summits. A gable roof appears above the intersecting wings of the structure. The church is north-south oriented with a south main entrance reached by wide concrete steps leading directly into the nave; the church does not have an enclosed vestibule and the area beneath the choir loft, which is supported by two decorative columns, constitutes the vestibule. The north wing, directly opposite the choir loft, contains an elevated sanctuary which has angulated walls and becomes almost semicircular in form. Two sacristies with exits to the church grounds are found on the east and west corresponding sides of the main altar.

The interior of the church is dominated by a vaulted ceiling and the large well-illuminated central dome supported by arcades and four pilasters. Artistic decoration of the church consists of rich stylized ornamentation, numerous symbols and the appropriate murals; comparatively large in size are the church patron painting and two side icons of the Holy Mother of God with the Christ Child and Christ the Redeemer which have small votive altars. The decoration was executed by the artist Theodore Baran. The church contains wooden pews seating approx. 250 persons; it has electrical lighting, natural gas central heating and plumbing facilities. Construction of the church was realized by the parishioners through their private donations and fund raising projects and was carried out under the foremanship of Wasyi Huziak.

Near the church stands the reading room Prosvita constructed in 1931 and named in honour of Rev. Markian Shashkevych. Adjacent to it is the pastor’s residence constructed between 1957 and 1959.

Ukrainian settlement in this area began in 1907 predominantly from Bukovyna and various regions of Halychyna. The founding members of the parish were:

Rev. Henry Boels, CSSR, V. Deresh, 0. Stoyko, Ya. Stoyko, V. Matsenko (Maczenko), N. Hudy, S. Hrytsula (Hrycula), V. Fedorkiv, Ya. Stefaniuk, N. Ivonus, K. Shvaga, F. Yastrub, F. Yarema, M. Vasyltsiv (Wasyl-ciw), N. Bratus, Iv. Kostyshyn, 0. Kotyk, V. Senyk, Yu. Boguliak, M. Lozynsky, Hr. Lysechko, L. Kozak, Z. Hudy, Iv. Sofroniuk, T. Kharysh (Charysh), Y. Poleyko, Iv. Chubaty, Y. Widaiko, D. Kryba, Z. Hiady, A. Rogalsky, N. Semenovsky, S. Bihak, M. Parascheniuk (Parachoniak), M. Tvardovsky (Twardoski), M. Mat-viyiv, 0. Chorniak, K. Wiwchar, Iv. Kopchuk, P. Shipko, V. Halyk, S. Andriash, 0. Kolody, M. Tkachuk, Iv. Hnatiuk, V. Mandziak, P. Dmytrash, P. Bogush, Iv. Ivaniw, Iv. Sozansky, T. Klymko, M. Kostyshyn, N. Slywka, S. Kohut, Iv. Wegerak and V. Pudetz. From 1913 the parish was spiritually served by the Redemptorist Fathers from Yorkton. Prior to the construction of the first parish church, holy services were held in the Roman Catholic church.

In 1941 the parish registered 45 families with 80 children (Prop. Knyha), in 1961, 180 souls (Directory), and m 1975, 55 families were accounted for. In 1976 the parish was under the directorship of: Rev. Gregory Novak, CSSR, pastor, John Hnatiuk, John Borys and Wasyi Sereda.

The Ukrainian Catholic parish of St. George at Melville is the seat of the Melville pastoral district with satellite parishes at Calder, Wroxton, Wroxton farms, Dnipro and, earlier, Stomoway. Spiritual pastor of the district is Rev. Gregory Novak, CSSR.

Reviewed September, 2003.

The church of St. George is the second church of the parish.

The first church was constructed in 1916; on March 10 of that year it was blessed by Bishop Nicetas Budka. The church served the parish for twenty-three years; in 1939 it was sold and the second church was constructed. Bishop Andrew Roborecki made several episcopal visitations to the parish and last visited the faithful and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the church on July 16,1971. Since that time there have been other Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan visting Melville – His Excellency Bishop Basil Filevich and most recent was Bishop Michael Wiwchar on April 1, 2000.

The church stands in easterly Melville. It is a masonry cruciform structure, 70 x 36 feet, with three domes; the large central dome is apexed by a cupola and cross, the two smaller domes above the front towers are also apexed by crosses. The walls of the church including the drum of the central dome contain elongated retangular windows with semicircular summits. A gable roof appears above the intersecting wings of the structure. The church is north-south oriented; an addition to the main entrance was contructed in 1991 with a washroom and foyer along with a stairwell to the basement. A landing was constructed (wheelchair accessible) on the west side of the church that leads to the front entrance. In the basement a catechism room was constructed and two washrooms. The parish members consisted of President John Hnatiuk, Rodney Klus, Financial Secretary, Colin McAleer, Treasurer and Tony Achtemichuk, Secretary. The south main entrance is reached by wide steps leading directly into the vestibule, the area beneath the choir loft, which is supported by two decorative columns. The north wing, directly opposite the choir loft, contains an elevated sanctuary which has angulated walls and becomes almost semicircular in form. Two sacristies on the east and west side of the main altar, with one exit to the church grounds on the north wall of the east side.

The interior of the church is dominated by a vaulted ceiling and the large well-illuminated central dome supported by arcades and four pilasters. Artistic decoration of the church consists of rich stylized ornamentation, numerous symbols and the appropriate murals; comparatively large in size are the church patron painting and two side icons of the Holy Mother of God with

the Christ Child and Christ the Redeemer which have small votive altars. The decoration was executed by the artist Theodore Baran. The church contains wooden pews seating approx. 150 persons, electrical crystal chandelier, three air moving ceiling fans, sound system with two suspended loud speakers, two microphones, electric organ, electrical lighting, natural gas central heating, and plumbing facilities. Air conditioning was installed in June, 2003. Construction of the church was realized by the parishioners through their private donations and fund raising projects and was carried out under the foremanship of WasyI Huziak in the 1930’s.

Adjacent to the church is the pastor’s residence constructed between 1957 and 1959, which was home to parish priests till late 1970’s which at that time was served by Rev. Gregory Novak. CSSR. Since his death the parish has been served by the Redemptorist Fathers from Yorkton namely Father Michael Schudio, CSsR, Father Michael Baraniecki, CSsR, Father Stephen Olynyk, CSsR, Father J. Korba, CSsR and other visiting Redemptorists.

Ukrainian settlement in this area began in 1907 predominantly from Bukovyna and various regions of Halychyna. The founding members of the parish were: Rev. Henry Boels, CSSR, V. Deresh, 0. Stoyko, Ya. Stoyko, V. Matsenko(Maczenko), N. Hudy, S. Hrytsular (Hrycular), V. Fedorkiv, Ya. Stefaniuk, N. Ivonus, K. Shvaga, F. Yastrub, F. Yarema, M. Vasyltsiv(Wasylciw), N. Bratus, Iv. Kostyshyn, 0. Kotyk, V. Senyk, Yu. Boguliak, M. Lozynsky, Hr. Lysechko, l_. Kozak, Z. Hudy, Iv. Sofroniuk, T. Kharysh (Charysh), Y. Poleyko, Iv. Chubaty, Y. Widaiko, D. Kryba, Z. HIady, A. Rogalsky, N. Semenovsky, S. Bihak, M. Parascheniuk (Parachoniak) M. Twardovsky (Twardoski), M. atviyiv, 0. Chorniak, K. Wiwchar, Iv. Kopchuk, P. Shipko, V. Halyk, S. Andriash, 0. Kolody, M. Tkachuk, Iv.Hnatiuk, V. Mandziak, P. Dmytrash, P. Bogush, Iv. Ivaniw, Iv. Sozansky, T. Klymko, M. Kostyshyn, N. Slywka, S. Kohut, Iv. Wegerak and V. Pudetz. From 1913 the parish was spiritually served by the Redemptorist Fathers from Yorkton. Prior to the construction of the first parish church, holy services were held in the Roman Catholic church.

In 1941 the parish registered 45 families with 80 children (Prop. Hnyha), in 1961, 180 souls (Directory), and in 1975. 55 families were accounted for. In 1976 the parish was under the directorship of: Rev. Gregory Novak, CSSR, pastor, John Hnatiuk, John Borys and Wasyt Sereda. The Ukrainian Catholic parish of St. George at Melville was the seat of the Melville pastoral district with satellite parishes at Calder, Wroxton, Wroxton farms, Dnipro and, earlier, Stornoway.

In 2003, the parish registered 57 families. The present Council executive members are President Lawrence Herasymiuk, ^/ice-President Allan Glowa, Secretary Eleanore Sedlovitch.and Treasurer Kathleen Stolar. The council worked closely with the Fund Raising Chairman Merv Famulak along with the Nevada Sales by Tony Achtemichuk and Ted Danyluk. The Ladies Committee President Lucy Klus, Treasurer Nancy Herasymiuk and Committee Members Jean Danyluk, Joan Sass and Wanda Shaw. The ladies provide catering services for parish activities, perogy bees, bake sales and are also responsible for cleaning the church and washing linens. The Choir lead by Nancy Herasymiuk, organist Jean Danyluk and choir members Wanda Shaw, Joanne Oieski, Kathy Stotar, Anne Eremko, Olga Achtemichuk, Eleanore Sedlovitch, Sophie Borys, Jean Dales, Olga Bo/pay, Grace Bo/pay, John Hnatiuk and Ed Sagan. Yard committee members Lawrence Herasymiuk, Steve Sass, Ken Klus, Rodney Klus, John Stolar and Gary Halyk. These committees have been formed to upkeep the church and hail and to preserve the Ukrainian tradition. St. George’s Parish is served by the Redemptorist Fathers, Pastor, Father Bryan Bayda, CSsR, Assistant Pastors, Father Oleh Kashuba, CSsR and Father Methodius Kushko, CSsR. And at present sacristan Rodney Klus and on occasion Frank Petrowsky assist the fathers with the liturgy.