Bonnyville AB Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church 1960

Bonnyville, Alberta, Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1960

General information

The Town of Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada, is situated in the Bonnyville Municipal District, as is the city of Cold Lake.

In 2024, it was a region of increasing population. Situated northeast of Smoky Lake, and north of Vermilion, its eastern boundary is the Saskatchewan provincial border. Thirteen km (8 mi) to the northeast from Bonnyville is the rural community of Big Meadow and the Ukrainian Orthodox Temple of Saint John the Baptist. The main road link for Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Saint Paul and Smoky Lake is Highway #28 from Edmonton.

This municipal district includes several localities in which Orthodox Christian communities were established in the 1930s and afterwards.

Although this region was very slowly settled by homesteaders after 1900, indigenous Cree, Denesuline and Métis peoples were previously numerous in the region, and they participated in the fur trade after 1871. Slavs and other peoples (Franco-Canadians and Europeans) began to settle in the region primarily during the late 1930s, and especially during and after World War II and the establishment of a Royal Canadian Air Force Base at Cold Lake in 1954.

Prehistory

The first Orthodox Christian Temple to be established in the region was that of Saints Peter and Paul at Bonnyville, in 1940. That community was part of the Canadian Diocese of the "Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America" at that time.

Organisation of the community

In 1959, some members of Saint John the Baptist Church at Big Meadow, Alberta (along with other members who were living in Bonnyville and neighbouring communities), began thinking about establishing a new Ukrainian Orthodox congregation in the town of Bonnyville. Bonnyville had emerged as a leading regional commercial and administrative centre.

As was happening in most rural areas across Canada, the farming population was rapidly shrinking, while advantageously situated towns and villages were simultaneously enjoying periods of growth due to the profound changes affecting the agricultural economy. With the increasing urbanisation of rural settlements, and the greater mobility afforded by improved roads, town life grew in importance. Many districts in the countryside lost the schools, post offices and businesses that for decades had provided them with a local identity and name. Thus, the decision to found a congregation in Bonnyville was in many ways simply a reflection of the transformation that was taking place throughout much of rural Alberta.

Founding the community

Informal discussions in 1959 led to a founding meeting being held at the Huren family home in Bonnyville with the participation of Priest P Dorosh-Zmiyiwsky and some central members of the Big Meadow congregation. An executive committee was formed at this gathering, along with a building committee, and plans were made about how to proceed with the establishment of a Temple in Bonnyville.

At about the same time, at an annual meeting held at Big Meadow on 4 December 1959, an executive was elected for Saint John’s parish that also supported the idea of starting a Bonnyville congregation. They agreed that all of the money raised from Christmas carolling that year would be dedicated towards facilitating the establishment of a new Temple in Bonnyville. There was a general feeling that the Big Meadow church was old and small, with no real potential for future growth.

Consequent controversy

This decision subsequently proved to be highly controversial with some of the long-time members of Saint John’s parish, who responded by calling an extraordinary meeting on 17 January 1960 that elected a new executive, comprised almost entirely of different people.

In replacing the leadership that had been chosen just 6 weeks earlier, the new executive accused their predecessors of neglecting their duties to the parish (because it was impossible for one executive to serve 2 parishes) and demanded that all of the keys and records be turned over to them.

Subsequently, further allegations were made that in addition to the carolling money, income earned from the Big Meadow hall had also been taken by the ousted executive, without proper approval, and that they had utilised it for the purposes of starting the new congregation. Not only were emotions running high because of these developments, but also the threat of legal action meant that the escalating dispute could potentially prove to be both costly and detrimental to the survival of both Ukrainian Orthodox groups.

For their part, those behind the Bonnyville initiative argued that they were still members of Saint John’s parish in Big Meadow, and that the executive chosen in December had been fully within its rights to help start a town-based congregation. They pointed out that there had been problems in the Big Meadow parish for some years (which they largely attributed to one difficult person). They suggested that the majority of Big Meadow members were in favour of the decision to establish a parish and Temple in Bonnyville. The ousted directors considered settling the matter in court, since they felt that their honour had been impugned by the accusations of financial impropriety.

Nonetheless, it was eventually decided to hand over the documents and keys to the new Saint John’s executive so as to avoid legal complications, and hopefully to put an end to the sad wrangling. Thenceforth, the 2 groups became separate organisational entities.

The Bonnyville supporters had decided by February, 1960, to adopt Saint Elias (the holy prophet) as the patron of their new congregation.

At its establishment, the parish of Saint John the Baptist became part of the "Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada" (UGOCC), and of its Western Eparchy (Western Diocese) that was established in Edmonton, Alberta.

Purchase of property, 1960

Moving quickly to realise their goals, at a meeting held on 7 February, 1960, the fledgling Bonnyville parish voted to purchase a two-acre parcel of land for their Temple. Later that year, they celebrated their first Feast-day service on this site.

At that time, the Saint Elias Faithful numbered 14 members, virtually all of whom still belonged to Saint John’s parish in Big Meadow (they had only recently paid their annual "dues").

Incorporation, 1961

So as to facilitate the registration of their land with provincial authorities (under the Societies Lands Act), on 5 August, 1961, the congregation resolved to become incorporated under the charter of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. They were officially admitted in November of the same year.

Construction of the Temple, 1961

In the spring of 1961, construction of a functional and spacious two-domed sanctuary was begun.

By 30 April, 1962, the structure was ready to be blessed and put to regular use as a place of worship.

Tensions continued to linger for several years between the Bonnyville Faithful and those who had remained committed to the Big Meadow parish. However, since the 2 congregations were part of the same pastoral district and they shared the same clergy, they continued to interact and periodically to co-operate.

Of course, with the passing of time, circumstances inevitably changed in both the Big Meadow and Bonnyville communities. Hurt feelings slowly healed and receded into memory. Indeed, despite these controversial and painful beginnings, Saint Elias Church gained momentum quickly ; and soon, the parish assumed a leading role within the Glendon parish district.

Thus, by 1964 Bonnyville had replaced Glendon as the preferred base for clergy who were assigned to serve the congregations in the northeast corner of the province. Although there was talk about moving the existing residence from Glendon to Bonnyville, and Elk Point and Saint Paul expressed a desire to become the seat of the parish district, it was eventually agreed that a brand new manse would be built in the town of Bonnyville with funds raised in all of the congregations.

Bonnyville centre of the northeastern pastoral district, 1965

In 1965, the Bonnyville parish district also obtained a 10-year lease for a church camp property on nearby Moose Lake, indicating that Ukrainian Orthodox adherents throughout the lake country of the northeast were looking optimistically towards the future.

In the second half of the 1960s, Saint Elias enjoyed a period of relative stability.

Some disturbance, 1970

However, this stability came to an end in 1970 because of some problems affecting their pastoral leadership.

The unsettled situation lasted for about 2 years, during which time the Bonnyville district was served out of Smoky Lake by Father Loren (Kubin). The manse was rented out to a teacher.

While the subsequent posting of Father Stephan Semotiuk to the district improved matters for a time, by 1973 circumstances compelled the Western Diocese to attempt a reorganisation of parish districts that briefly saw Holy Trinity Church, Myrnam ; Holy Dormition Church, South Slawa ; Saint John the Baptist Church, Morecambe ; and Saint Elias Church, Wandering River, being added to the communities being served from Bonnyville.

As had previously been the case when the seat of the northeast district was at Holy Trinity Church, Glendon, it continued to be a challenge to generate enough funds to sustain a resident cleric.

Given that at the end of 1973, the combined membership of all the churches in the district amounted to approximately 60, it is not surprising that clergy were finding it extremely difficult to support their families while tending to the needs of their small and scattered congregations.

Eventually, some of these problems worked themselves out through the combined efforts of the clergy and the faithful.

Some resolution

By 1978, Saint Elias church in Bonnyville, along with its sister congregations at Big Meadow, Gifford, Glendon, Sandy Rapids, and Saint Paul, were once again functioning as a viable district. Although in the early 1980s Bonnyville reported having 12 members, and this figure grew to 16 in 1984. The congregation nevertheless had trouble meeting its financial obligations to the Consistory because many of its parishioners were pensioners on a fixed income.

Transfer of the centre of the pastoral district to Saint Paul, 1988

In 1988, the Bonnyville and District Council sold the Bonnyville parish manse for the sum of $69,000. The proceeds were earmarked for a house to be built in Saint Paul as a residence for Father Demjan Hohol.

In this way, Bonnyville lost its position as the seat of the parish district for northeastern Alberta in much the same way that it had displaced the village of Glendon more than 2 decades earlier.

In 1994, the parish of Saint Elias in Bonnyville reported a membership of 40 individuals (15 families, and 10 singles). At that time, the congregation did not seem to have suffered any lasting negative effects from the relocation and re-designation of the parish centre.

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The "modern" architecture of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Elias in Bonnyville reflects its recent construction, and the blend between traditional and modern architecture.

Saint Elias Church interior

Change in status of the UGOCC, 1990

In 1990, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada was officially renamed “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada” (UOCC) by an Act of the Parliament of Canada.

Acceptance into the Patriarchate of Constantinople

In 1990, the 18th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, decided to enter into Eucharistic Union with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul). This decision also changed the relationship with the other Orthodox dioceses and parishes in Canada in a positive way.

Centennial of the UOCC, 2018

In 2018, the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada and also of Holy Trinity Cathedral were marked at an extraordinary sobor (assembly) at the cathedral in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The purpose of the sobor was to celebrate 100 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. The celebrations were attended by Ukrainian Orthodox faithful from across Canada and beyond.

The Sobor began on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Petro Mohyla Institute, presided by Bishop Andriy (Peshko) of the Eastern Eparchy, with the responses sung by the Clergy led by Father Michael Lomaszkiewicz. This was followed by an All-Canada Clergy Conference.

Centennial Clergy Conference

All gathered for Vespers at the Mohyla Institute Chapel and this was followed by a wine and cheese reception as the delegates and guests registered for the Extraordinary National Council.

The celebrations continued for a year.

2020-2021 Coronavirus-19 virus restrictions on parishes

In early 2020, the Covid-19 virus made its appearance in Canada, and it quickly became a world-wide pandemic. Because of the rules governing gatherings that were laid down by the provincial and city governments, the parish stopped any further services after 8 March, 2020. Including the rules regarding social distancing, the decreasing numbers permitted for any gathering, and the considerations regarding the health of all concerned, this and other parishes were required to close for a time.

As elsewhere, there was some controversy about the legal requirements.

Election of Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk), 2022

Election of a nominee by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

On 15-19 June, 2022, the 24th Sobor of the Ukrainian Orthodox of Canada was convened "on-line". This conference-meeting was convened thus instead of convening physically (as customarily) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There were 6 cathedrals in Canada where this meeting took place simultaneously through a computer-network : in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral) ; Vancouver, British Columbia (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Edmonton, Alberta (Saint John's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) ; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Holy Trinity Cathedral) ; in Toronto, Ontario (Saints Vladimir and Olga Cathedral) ; in Montréal, Québec (Saint Sophie Cathedral).

There was a total of 205 delegates, which was near the average attendance for such sobors.

In the course of the work of the Sobor, there was the necessary election in order to nominate to the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople a candidate for election as Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, who would succeed the Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk).

There were 3 candidates who were considered : Archbishop Job (Getcha), Bishop Ilarion (Rudnyk), and Bishop Andriy (Peshko). The final choice of the members of the sobor was Archbishop Job (Getcha). He had received more than the minimum required 51% of the votes, and there was no subsequent voting required.

The election by the Sobor (Assembly) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada then had to be confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of Constantinople (as is described in the Consistory By-laws).

Upon having received the nomination (with accompanying documents) from the Sobor of the UOCC, the Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) to become Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Constantinople elected Archbishop Job (Getcha) to become Metropolitan of Pisidia, in west-central Türkiye (Turkey), north of Lycia, and east of Ephesus.

Confirmation of election in Constantinople/Istanbul, 2022

On 29 August, 2022, Vladyka Ilarion (Rudnyk) was at the Phanar in Constantinople for the purpose of the first confirmation of the election in June, 2022. He co-served the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) in the Cathedral of Saint George at the Phanar.

Enthronement as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, 2022

On Saturday, 19 November, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Enthronement Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served. Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) presided at the Divine Liturgy. He was assisted by Bishop Andriy (Peshko), many priests, several deacons, subdeacons and Altar-servers. Present also were Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Athanassoulas), Exarch of Canada for the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk), Former Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) at the Phanar, Istanbul, 2023

On Sunday, 2 July, 2023, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis) was present and praying during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George's Cathedral in the Patriarchate compound. He gave the blessing that Metropolitan Ilarion (Rudnyk) preside ("horostasia") over the Divine Liturgy. Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia, Bishop Athenagoras (Ziliaskopoulos) of Nazianzos, and the Honourable Roman Nedilskyi, General Consul of Ukraine in Constantinople were also present and praying with the congregation of the Faithful.

Change of calendar for the UOCC, 2023

On 1 December, 2023, in accordance with the resolutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk) announced that, effective that day, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada moved to use the New (Revised Julian) Calendar. He allowed that for a brief period of time, a parish might remain on the Old (Julian) Calendar.

It seems that subsequently, John's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, was the first to adopt the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

However, a previously-existing group of persons began to encourage resistance to the immediacy of this change. It was their understanding that the process would be determined ultimately and finally at the next general sobor of the UOCC. Therefore, on 16 December, 2023, Metropolitan Ilarion issued a formal letter concerning the situation, together with a letter of support sent to him by his predecessor (Retired Metropolitan Yurij (Kalistchuk)). He called the resisters to repentance

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, at Ardmore

The cemetery of the parish is situated approximately 18 km (11 mi) east of Bonnyville, at the land description site SE 02-62-04 W4 at Ardmore, Alberta.

In 2021, there were 5 recorded interments.

Saint Elias, Bonnyville, Cemetery at Ardmore, Alberta : entrance, address-sign

In 2024, the Church of Saint Elias in Bonnyville, Alberta, is the centre from which the following communities are served by Father Peter Haugen :

 Descent Of The Holy Spirit Parish ; ; All Saints Parish, Sandy Rapids ; Saint Mary’s Parish, Hamlin ; 
 Holy Trinity Parish, Glendon ; Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Gifford ; Saint Volodymyr Parish, Elk Point ;
 John The Baptist Parish, Big Meadow ; All Saints Parish, Saint Paul.

Particular parish information

The parish of Saint Elias in Bonnyville, Alberta, is in the Western Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Bonnyville District. The bishop of the eparchy is Metropolitan Ilarion II (Rudnyk).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Prophet Elias (Elijah), 20 July (2 August).

In 2024, the pastor of this parish is Priest Peter Haugen.

Address :

Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church

4801-46 Street

Bonnyville, Alberta

T9N 1G8

Telephone : (587)-252-2715

Bonnyville District Facebook

Directions :

Bonnyville is about 260 km (165 mi) northeast of Edmonton, and the driving time is about 2 hours and 50 minutes.

From Edmonton : Drive east on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) as far as Mundare. Turn left (north) on Highway #955, and drive north to Andrew. After passing through Andrew, turn right (east) on Highway #45. On Highway #45, veer to the left on Highway #645 East. Drive eastwards until Highway #857. Turn left (north) and continue driving north until Highway #28. At Highway #28, turn right (east) and drive to Bonnyville. Keep to the right when Highway #28 veers to the left, and continue on Highway #659 (50 Avenue). At 46 Street, turn right (south).

Priest Peter Haugen (Pastor)

Telephone : (587) 252-2715

E-mail : pmthaugen@hotmail.com

References

Pioneer Churches on the Prairies : Saint Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Bonnyville

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Additional information :

“Collection of Material Relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1918-1968” (Winnipeg : Consistory of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, 1968).

Yereniuk, Prof. Roman, “A Short Historical Outline of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC)”.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Elias, Bonnyville, Alberta, parish listing

UOC Bonnyville district listing

Town of Bonnyville listing

Orthodox World listing

Western Eparchy of the UOCC web-site

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)