CANORA - Antonivka Ukrainian Catholic Church, built in 1906 and the first Ukrainian church in the area, was recently given a facelift by local painter Bobby Zawislak and volunteers Kim Keller-Rakochy and Mike Rakochy, who “worked many hours to complete and restore this old church back to its original glory,” shared Kim.
In addition to painting, other work included adding new tin on the roof, new door frames, and replacing the caulking around windows. Both iron crosses outside the church were painted and a new plaque will soon be installed.
According the Canora Courier article on the church’s centennial in 2006, the parishioners constructed the church with voluntary labour and $1,500 of actual costs. A wooden belfry, with one bell, was constructed by the church in 1907 and a mission cross was installed in 1931.
The organizers and directors of construction were: Yurko Mykytsey, Stefan Shewchuk, Hryhoriy Ratushniak and Yakiv Ratushniak. The artistic decoration was done by Paul Zabolotny in 1936.
A wooden belfry, with one bell, was constructed by the church in 1907 and a mission cross was installed in 1937.
By 1909 the parish had more than 100 members. The 40-by-24 foot church was blessed in 1913 by Rev. Joseph Balla, the chancellor of the diocese.
In 1941, the church consisted of 40 members with 100 children.
The parish cemetery adjoins the church grounds and the combined site was donated to the parish by Stefan Lehkun (Lychkun).
Ukrainian settlers began arriving in the area in 1902 and most were from the village of Antonivka in the Chortkiv county and thus named their parish.
Antonivka Church was officially registered as a heritage site in 1988.
Donations would be kindly accepted to help pay for the cost of the materials for the recent renovation and painting, along with mowing and further upkeep of the church and cemetery in the future. An official tax receipt would be issued. To donate or for more information call 306-563-7688.
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