Church of the Assumption of the B.V.M. constructed 1964-1965 in Moose Jaw; R.M. 161.
MOOSE JAW — The church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second church of the parish.
The Official Directory, published 1961, describes the first parish church as follows: “The church stands on a three lot site in south-westerly Moose Jaw and measures 60 x 26 feet. It was remodelled from an army chapel and moved from the Mossbank airport in 1948. The church has a basement hall.” Sixteen years later the parishioners constructed the present church in commemoration of Canada’s Centennial Year. In 1967 Bishop Andrew Roborecki blessed the commemorative plaque which was then installed in the church wall.
The church is a wood constructed rectangular structure, 80 x 46 feet, with a high concrete basement, an exterior brick finish and a shingled gable roof. Its windows, rectangular in form with semicircular summits, contain blue panes decorated with gold crosses corresponding to the full size of the window. The two front towers and the square support between them are apexed by cupolas with ogee-type domes finished with fireproof material and painted white. The church is east-west oriented; its west main entrance has a small roof shelter and is reached by high concrete steps with wrought iron safety railings. In addition to the main entrance the church has two south entries leading to the church and church basement with parish hall and kitchen facilities. The church interior is dominated by a vaulted ceiling, contains an east sanctuary with the main altar and north and south adjoining sacristies also exiting to the church grounds, the nave containing wooden pews seating approx. 250 persons, a vestibule and choir loft extending above the vestibule. Stairways at the vestibule’s south wall lead to the choir loft and church basement; the north side of the vestibule contains a room for parents with small children.
In 1971 the church was artistically decorated by Theodore Baran. The large wall behind the main altar contains a mural composition based on three events from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the events represented are: the Annunciation, the Assumption and the Nativity of Christ the Redeemer. On the right and left of the sanctuary along the walls facing the nave are the standing pose representations of The Holy Mother of God — Queen of Ukraine, and Christ the Teacher. Decorating the walls of the nave are the four Evangelists, Eucharistical symbols and stylistic ornamentation.
The church floor is constructed of oak. carpeting extends down the center aisle and before the main altar. The church has electrical lighting, central gas heating and plumbing facilities. The parishioners constructed the church through their private financial contributions and voluntary labour assisting in the construction and site landscaping. The architectural plans and the construction were executed by a Regina architectural firm. All construction details were under the auspices of the church executive and construction committee headed by the pastor Rev. Canon Myron Pylypchuk; the church executive consisted of: Theodore Huska, Harry Zywer, Stefan Chekurlian, Eugene Popowich, Michael Horbay and Ernest Fedorowich; the construction committee included: John Zwyer, Eugen Popowich, Kost Kukhniy (Kuchny) and William Pavlishak. Total construction costs exceeded $110,000.
Near the church stands the priest’s residence; it was purchased and moved to the site in 1951, in 1956 it was enlarged and renovated.
Ukrainian settlers began settling in Moose Jaw in 1910 and were predominantly from the Rava Rus’ka county. Initially holy services were held in private homes or in the local Roman Catholic chapel; the Redemptorist Fathers who served this community were:
Rev. Stephen Bachtalowsky, Rev. Gregory Shysh-kowych and Rev. John Bala. Impetus to the establishment of a permanent parish was given by Rev. Anthony Fyk of Regina with whose assistance the community purchased their first parish church and adapted it to the requirements of the Ukrainian Rite. The first permanent pastor of the parish was Rev. Alexander Schesniuk who served the parish from 1948 to 1956. From 1956 to the present date the permanent pastor of the parish is the Rev. Canon Myron Pylypchuk; it was during his pastorate that the parishioners constructed the present church and commissioned its artistic decoration.
The parish was founded in 1948 by 12 families. In 1961 there were 229 souls (Directory); in 1964, during the period of construction of the second church, the parish numbers increased to 64 families and 11 single members or a total of 246 persons. In 1975 the parish registered 95 families or approx. 270 persons. In 1976 the parish was under directorship of: Rev. Canon Myron Pylypchuk, pastor, Lawrence William Gelleta, Michael Lys, William Berezny, Joseph Yablonski, Walter Korol and Peter Kondra.
The Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Moose Jaw is the seat of a permanent spiritual pastor.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church
621 5 Ave SW, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5E3, Canada
50°22’54.3″N 105°32’48.7″W
50.381753, -105.546864
Parish Contact Information
Church Address:
625 – 5th Ave SW
Moose Jaw, SK S6H 5W2
Tel: 306-692-9456
Administrator:
Rev. Vasyl Tymishak
(Res) 55 McMurchy Avenue,
Regina, SK S4R 3G4
Telephone: Office: 306-543-8008; Cell: 306-519-9030
Email: vasyltymishak@gmail.com
Bulletins for Moose Jaw - District Parishes
Deanery (Protopresbyterate) of Yorkton-Regina
DEANERY (Protopresbyterate) OF YORKTON
CANORA DISTRICT
Simko, Rev. Ivan, Administrator
Canora, Ss. Peter and Paul (Res)
Box 1137, Canora, SK S0A 0L0
Telephone: (Res) 306-563-5148
Also Serves:
Arran–Vesna, Ss. Peter & Paul
Benito, MB – Descent of the Holy Spirit
Buchanan, Descent of the Holy Spirit
Dnieper, Transfiguration
Dobrowody, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hudson Bay, Holy Eucharist Parish
Invermay, Ss. Vladimir and Olga
Kamsack, St. Josaphat
Norquay, Sacred Heart
Preeceville, Transfiguration of Our Lord
Rama, Ss. Peter and Paul
Swan River, MB – Ascension of Our Lord
Beckenham, Transfiguration
Bedfordville (Stanyslavsti), St. Nicholas
Fenwood, Ss. Peter & Paul
Foam Lake, Holy Eucharist
Goodeve Farm, Holy Trinity
Goodeve Town, St. Michael
Holar, St. Demetrius
Hubbard, Holy Spirit
Krasne, St. John Bohoslow
Kuroki, Ss. Peter & Paul
Lanigan, Sacred Heart
Model Farm, Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sheho Farms, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wishart Farms, St. Michael
Wishart Town, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Malowany, Rev. Basil, Vice-Dean - Deanery of Yorkton; Administrator: Yorkton District
155 Catherine Street, Yorkton, SK S3N 0B9
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary's)
Telephone: 306-783-4594; Cell: 306-540-5102
Bobulynci, Transfiguration
Calder, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Insinger, St. Nicholas
Ituna, Sacred Heart
Melville, St. George
Wadena, Holy Spirit
Whitesand, Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Willowbrook, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary
REGINA - ST. ATHANSIUS-MOOSE JAW DISTRICT
Tymishak, Very Rev. Vasyl, Chancellor, Dean of Deanery of Yorkton;
Administrator: Regina-St. Athanasius-Moose Jaw District
Regina, St. Athanasius
(Res) 55 McMurchy Avenue, Regina, SK S4R 3G4
Telephone: Office: 306-543-8008; Cell: 306-519-9030
Email: vasyltymishak@gmail.com
Email: stathanasius@sasktel.net
ALSO SERVES:
Chaplin-Thunder Creek, Ss. Peter & Paul
Glentworth, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hodgeville, Ss. Peter & Paul
Moose Jaw, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Regina, St. Basil
(Res) 1747 Toronto Street, Regina, SK S4P 1M5
Telephone: (Res) 306-522-7767; Cell: 306-590-7900
Email: wdungen@gmail.com
Montmartre, Ss. Peter and Paul
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)