28) Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church

Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church  

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This church was built in 1908. It replaced an earlier Ukrainian church and cemetery built before the arrival of the railway in 1908. Before then, a priest would travel out from Winnipeg on the CN Railway to visit various homes in the area, to visit sick people, have baptisms and hold Masses. When the church was built, the priest would come out every month. This eventually became once every three months. The church was built basically as it stands today. The first burial took place in 1909. In 1921, the interior of the building’s dome and walls were painted with religious iconography and murals by Winnipeg artist Hnat Sych, whose work can be seen in churches throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Artwork was renewed by V. Pushka in 1955. A new roof, new siding and carpeting were installed in 1978. When the church was built, the priests would visit every month. This became every three months as the congregation became smaller. This church and cemetery are still operative today.

Additional Details

Civic Number: 104 Regan Ave., Elma   l    Amenities on Site: N/A   l    Building on Site: Yes; Cemetery on site

Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church	Cemetery on site. Photo courtesy of Gordon Goldsborough	Interior of Church. Photo courtesy of George Penner