Bonnyville AB Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1940

Bonnyville, Alberta, Church of Saints Peter and Paul, 1940

Prehistory

According to the published town history, the Town of Bonnyville was named after the Roman Catholic missionary who constructed the first French Roman Catholic church in the region : Father Francis Bonny. He was a co-worker with the well-known missionary Father Albert Lacombe. The very gradual settlement of this region began in about 1790 with the fur-trader Angus Shaw and the North-West Company. It was a long time after him before others began to arrive from elsewhere in Canada or from abroad. Meanwhile, in the early 20th century, a Presbyterian Missionary John Duclos established a French-language school in the settlement.

In 1939, a group of immigrants arrived from the village of Zagorowo in the Dolsk district of Poland. At that time, people had been displaced by the invasion of the Nazi German Army ; and after World War II, Poland became a part of the USSR. When they arrived in Canada, they settled on farms in the Bonnyville district, 274 km (170 mi) northeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The leader of this group was Yakim Luciuk and his wife Palagia. Others in this group were the families of Michael Koziol, Samuel Nichyporuk, Luka Woloshuk and Michael Babkiewich.

Very soon, the organisation of a parish was discussed. The Priest Wasil Woytowich of Franchère, Alberta, was invited to come and serve. He served the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pascha at the home of Michael Koziol, where he blessed their "paska" (bread). It was a very memorable and joyous occasion, and the people who attended resolved to build a church. The initial group was now joined by the Yewchuk brothers — Andrew, Sava and Roman — and the family of Peter Solowaniuk.

Founding the parish ; establishing the Temple, 1942

A parish committee was formed for the purpose of building a Temple. A small frame building was purchased for $40.00, and set down on a foundation on the farm of Michael Babkiewich who donated a half-acre of land for the Temple, which was 16 km (10 mi) north of Bonnyville. The first church committee was elected at a meeting held in 1942. Andrew Yewchuk was elected chairman (starosta), Michael Babkiewich as treasurer, and Samuel Nichyporuk as secretary. Michael Koziol was elected to be the builder of the Temple, and the rest of the members volunteered their labour for the project. The Temple was dedicated in the name of the Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul.

Moving the Temple, 1952

In 1952, the members decided to move the Temple from the farm location to the town of Bonnyville. Sava and Roman Yewchuk, and Vladimir Zuk were elected to a committee to locate the new site. They chose the land between 51 and 52 Streets, which is the location of the Temple today. The Temple was moved to the present site in 1952, and it was sanctified by the Archpriest John Kowalchuk with the approval and blessing of Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) of the "Metropolia" in the USA. The parish was joined by new members : John Zuk, who was a cantor, Vladimir Zuk, Anna Pelepchuk, Sam Krawiec, Stephen Krawiec and John Shewchuk.

Establishing the cemetery, 1953

In 1953, a meeting of the parishioners was held, in which it was decided to buy land for a cemetery. A committee of Philip Kushnir, Vladimir Zuk and Yakim Krawiec negotiated the purchase of one acre of land from the United Church congregation in Bonnyville. It became called the "Russo-Greek Orthodox Cemetery of Bonnyville".

This cemetery is situated by the Duclos Memorial United Church Cemetery (61515, Range Road #42) near Ardmore. It is found near SW 35-61-04 W4. Ardmore is 18.5 km (11.5 mi) northeast of Bonnyville on Highway #28.

Another description of the location is : "There is no cemetery sign for this Cemetery. It is located in Bonnyville north on 66th Street. It is on the left hand side of the road, just before 54th Avenue. It is a very small cemetery, with approximately 60 headstones."

Two views of the cemetery

Renovations, 1954

In 1954, a committee of parishioners headed by Philip Kushnir and Vladimir Zuk built the Altar (sanctuary) as an addition to the Temple. The cupola on the Temple was built in 1959.

Andrew Yewchuk served as chairman of the parish from 1954 to 1964. The annual meeting of 1964 elected John Solowaniuk as chairman, John Himich as treasurer, and Luka Woloschuk as secretary.

In 1967, the parish suffered a great loss in the death of John Zuk who had served the parish faithfully as their cantor.

In 1971, John Demediuk was elected to serve as chairman. Michael Koziol was elected treasurer in 1972.

At about this time, mainly because of a shortage of clergy in the Archdiocese of Canada, the parish began sometimes to be served by clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate, rather than by those of the Archdiocese of Canada.

Renovations, 1974

In 1974, major renovations were made to the Temple. The roof was newly shingled and the floor was covered with carpeting. The iconostas was renovated with 6 new icons painted by the Archpriest John Borcha. John Demediuk and Nikolai Kolody gave considerable help in the renovation work.

Iconostas

Since about 1998, the Archpriest Igor Kisil, of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada has been serving the parish on behalf of the Archdiocese of Canada.

Saints Peter and Paul Temple about 2010

Renovations, 2020

In 2022, major renovations were undertaken, and to a great extent completed. Since the Temple's condition had become so deteriorated that there had been some consideration of possibly burning the building, the conversations determined that repairs were preferred. Serious fundraising was undertaken, and the work was undertaken in 2020. Stephania Zuk (the parish secretary-treasurer) was one of the leaders of the project.

In an interview, Stephania stated that she believes that it is important to let the Temple stand because it allows for a connection between the current generation and their late grandparents to be kept. During the summer of 2020, the outside of the Temple was freshly painted, and new windows were installed. Other work continued to take place as the weather cooled. A new metal roof, interior paint, and other repairs were also done. By winter, a few more details were yet required, but the parishioners had time to collect more funds. The result is a structure that will stand and serve the Faithful for a long time to come.

The longtime pastor of the parish, Archpriest Igor Kisil of Edmonton, expressed his joy at the result of the dedicated and responsible attitude of the parishioners when he was interviewed locally. He commented that, after 21 years of caring for the parish, some of the members became like family to him, including Stefania.

 'When they started to collect money, of course I tried to help them' says Kisil.  So, he approached 
 the brotherhood at Saint Barbara's cathedral, known as the Orthodox Fellowship Club of Edmonton, 
 and was able to donate $3,000 to the project, 'and they are still working to get more donations'.
 
 When asked how he feels about seeing the renovation project take place, he says simply, 'I feel 
 very happy'.  He adds, by taking on the renovation project, 'they gave new life and thereby 
 prolonged the spiritual life of this parish'.
 
 Kisil is glad to see the church, despite being such a small parish, will continue to exist - even
 if there are only one or two services held each year. 
 
 'It’s a very small church community, but we will try to do our best', says Kisil, adding, 'I pray 
 for Stefania and the parishioners'.

Saints Peter and Paul renovation : during (left) and after (right) Winter

Particular parish details

This parish is served by the clergy of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. The bishop is Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

The parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, 29 June/12 July.

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko.

Address :

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church

5202-51 Avenue

Bonnyville, Alberta

T9N 2A8

Directions :

Bonnyville is approximately 250 km (170 mi) northeast of Edmonton. The driving time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Drive northeast of Edmonton on the Fort Road and Manning Drive to Fort Saskatchewan. Turn left (north) onto Highway #28, and continue driving through Smoky Lake. Continue to follow Highway 28 to Bonnyville. Continue in Bonnyville on Highway #28 (50 Avenue) to 52 Street. Turn left. The Temple is on the left, at 5202-51 Avenue.

The mailing address of the priest serves as the mailing address of the Temple.

Archpriest Evgeniy Protsenko, Pastor of the parish

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

T5H 3A6

Telephone : (780) 426-5163

Mobile : (780) 818-7343

E-mail : pokrova70@gmail.com

References

Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 100 years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories (Edmonton, Alberta : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

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 :

OCA listing

Archdiocese listing

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes listing

World Orthodox Directory of Churches listing

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada

Canadian Encyclopaedia article about Bonnyville

Wikipedia article about Bonnyville

Local history of the Town of Bonnyville

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)