Wynyard  -Sacred Heart

  Wynyard church of the Sacred Heart constructed 1953-1954; R.M. 308.   WYNYARD — The church of the Sacred Heart is the second church of the parish. The first church purchased for $1,000 from the Lutheran community in June, 1937, was a small rectangular structure with one tower on its left side. It served the parish for sixteen years. When the parish expanded, the church was sold in 1953 and plans were made to construct a larger church. The present church was constructed by Harry Shalley of Goodeve. The church site was purchased from the Saskatchewan Government and donated to the parish by Dmetro Marcyniuk, Hryhoriy (Harry) Stakiw and Theodore P. Bzdel. Judge Michael Stechyshyn of Wynyard assisted in the transaction. Construction of the new church began June 1, 1953 and by November of that year the Redemptorist Fathers from Yorkton were serving holy services in the basement of the uncompleted structure. Construction was completed in 1954. The artistic decoration, icons, murals and ornamentation was completed in 1958 by artist Theodore Baran. The cruciform wooden structure, 68 x 44 feet, has one central and two frontal double cupolas covered with white sheet metal, a complementing shingled gable roof and imitation brick asphalt siding. The church basement is used as a parish hall. In the interior the church has a vaulted ceiling, an elevated rectangular sanctuary with two adjoining sacristies, and a choir loft; the choir loft extends above the vestibule and projects slightly over the nave. Wooden pews in the cruciform nave seat approx. 200 people. The church has electricity, central gas heating and plumbing. Bishop Andrew Roborecki blessed the church on July 16, 1961 and took part in the parish’s Silver Jubilee on June 10, 1962. At that time the parish also honoured the Rev. Michael Kuchmiak, CSSR, their pastor from 1957 to 1965, for his substantial contribution to the parish’s development, and the late Pavlo Buchko (Paul Buczko), a dedicated member of the construction committee. A metal bell tower with one bell was installed near the church in 1967. Also in close proximity stands an imposing stone monument, apexed by a metal cross, which was blessed on October 29, 1967. Its memorial plaque lists the four Jubilees commemorated that year: The 75th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada; Canada’s Centennial Year; the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Josaphat; and the 1900th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul. The large parish rectory nearby was constructed in 1965 for $40,000 and serves as a pastoral base for the Wynyard district. Ukrainian settlers arrived in this area from other parts of Canada, in particular from the parish of St. John the Apostle at Krasne. The parish was established at a meeting held on March 5, 1937 at the home of Ivan Povoroznyk (John Proznick). The founding members were: Rev. D. Hawryliuk, CSSR, A. Pylypiuk, J. Proznick, M. Kucey, S. Zulak, P. Proznick, N. Bodnar, J. Ostapowich, J. Ostapowich, F. Ostapowich, D. Bodnar, M. Platkowski, A. Bobeychuk, J. Zulak, and T. Ilniski. Plans for construction of the second church were approved on January 25, 1953 and upheld on March 1, 1953, when a construction committee was elected with: Paul Buczko, Joseph Duchnitski, Harry Stakiw, Nick Bodnar and Joseph Proznick. The parish council at that time consisted of: Paul Hiady, president; Dmetro Marcyniuk, secretary; Nykola Bodnar, treasurer; Avksentiy Pylypiuk and Joseph Bodnarchuk, auditors. In 1965 the parish received its first permanent pastors, Rev. Simeon Ivanochko, CSSR, and Rev. Michael Baraniecki, CSSR, (Dedication Wynyard, 1966). In 1941 the parish consisted of 22 members with 40 children (Prop. Knyha). In 1967 there were 130 families (quest.), and in 1975, 460 members were registered from Wynyard and district in a radius of approximately seven miles. In 1976 the parish was under the directorship of: Rev. Michael Baraniecki, CSSR., pastor, Lawrence Lazorko, Jack Ostapowich, Steve Leschyshyn and Jake Bartoshewski. The Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Sacred Heart at Wynyard is the seat of the pastoral district of Wynyard with satellite parishes at Wishart (farms), Krasne, Holar and Wishart town. The pastors for this district are Rev. Michael Baraniecki, CSSR, and Rev. Leonard Ratushniak, CSSR.