In 1906 the parishioners of St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian
Catholic Church built their first log church on the N.W. corner of
Theodore Bodnar's land.
As time went on the congregation increased in size and the log
church required a lot of work. They were faced with a dilemma - do
extensive work to the small, log church or construct a larger
church.
In June of 1936 they decide to build a new church at a new
location presently located on the S.E. corner of Theodore Bodnar's
land which is the same quarter section of land as the first
building.
Alex Baran of Saskatoon was the architect, Yosef Yanushewsky was
the initial carpenter, and Alex Sembalerus of Vonda helped to
complete the church.
With very little money, but a lot of sweat, toil and
determination, the congregation began the construction of the
church the last week of August and completed the church at the end
of September - a feat which is difficult to match today even with
our large equipment and technology. The cost of constructing this
church was $3000. which was a lot considering it was during the
depression years.
The church was designated a historic site in 2003. After many
years, the elements took their toll on this old church so in 2006
parishioners of Bodnari undertook an extensive restoration project.
The cost of this restoration was 60,000. The restoration comprised
of new windows and doors, new shingles, and a paint job. The siding
was totally renailed, and the cracked /broken siding has been
replaced. The old paint was stripped and the siding primed and
painted. The windows and the shingles have been replaced. As well
some landscaping has been completed. The church looks a lot better
than in this old picture we found online. Of course the picture
shows a lot of trees which are all gone now which is too bad.
Please BYOP and of course use stealth if necessary.
