The first church was a log and clay structure constructed by the
founders of the parish in 1906 on a site eight miles west of
Alvena. In 1918 it was converted into a parish hall and the second
church was constructed. This was a cruciform structure with one
central dome and an iconostas; the iconostas was hand carved by
Stepan Meush in 1931-1932, the iconostas icons were the artwork of
Isadore Hrytzak. Archbishop Basil Ladyka blessed the church on
August 19, 1932.
On August 19, 1964, the church was struck by lightning and was
completely destroyed in the ensuing fire. In 1965 the parishioners
constructed the present church which was blessed on August 4, 1974
by Bishop Andrew Roborecki.
The church is a wood constructed rectangular structure measuring
60 x 30 feet. It stands on a concrete basement, has two frontal
towers apexed by cupolas, exterior wood siding painted a light
color, rectangular windows with arched summits and a shingled gable
roof which is apexed by a cross above the front entrance. The
church is east-west oriented. Entry into the church is from the
west by a series of steps leading into an adjoining
porch-vestibule; additional entries are located at the base of the
towers at north and south sides of the nave.
The east elevated sanctuary contains the main altar and has two
adjoining sacristies which have exits to the church grounds. The
west choir loft extends above the nave and is reached by a stairway
at the south wall of the nave. The base of the interior walls has
been finished with plywood, natural color of the wood has been
retained, while the remaining wall areas and the ceiling have
donnacona and are painted a light color.
Behind the main altar hangs a large church patron icon. On
corresponding sides of the sanctuary and facing the nave are icons
of the Holy Mother of God with the Christ Child and Christ the
Redeemer; these three oil on canvas icons have frames finished in
gold leaf and were painted in 1976 by Theodore Baran.
The church has a wooden floor which is carpeted at the center
aisle and in the sanctuary area, wooden pews which seat approx. 150
persons, electricity and central oil heating.
Near the church are two wooden crosses commemorating the Holy
Missions of 1942 and 1960, and a three bell masonry bell tower
which was constructed in 1948 by Nick Zary; two of the bells for
the belfry were purchased by the parishioners, the third was a
small bell donated by liko Hrytzak. The original wooden belfry,
which was dismantled, was constructed in 1914.
The church site also contained the Prosvita Home of Taras
Shevchenko which was constructed in 1927; the first parish hall,
originally the church, has been dismantled. The parish cemetery
site, which is one-half mile east of the church, and the church
site were blessed in 1904 by Rev. Sozont Dydyk, OSBM. We found it
interesting that there are several headstones with a skull and
crossbones on them. We wonder what they mean. A lot of them are
from the same year.
In 1902 these founding members purchased a 160 acre site which
was fully paid for by 1908; part of the site was used for the
church, various parish buildings and the cemetery, while the
remainder was cultivated and provided revenue for the maintenance
of the church. The site remains and the purpose for which it was
purchased is still adhered to today. Here is a pic of the
interior:
The cache is a bison tube containing only a log. Please bring
your own writing utensil. Please replace the cache where we hid
it.
