Historic Sites of Manitoba: Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church (Mountain Road, RM of Rosedale)

A monument in the Rural Municipality of Rosedale, dedicated on 24 July 2004, commemorates the first St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, which stood here from 1904 to 1925. The first Ukrainian settlers to this region arrived in 1896. At first, they attended church services at Hun’s Valley (Polonia). In 1904, a committee was formed to build a log church at Mountain Road on land donated by Mati Baranuik. As the settlement grew, the church became too small and plans were formed for the construction of a larger, more elaborate church.

Between 1924 and 1925, with the supervision of Father Philip Ruh, a majestic wooden cathedral was built using free lumber and volunteer labour, at a total cost of $18,000. Shaped like a cross with a capacity for several hundred parishioners, 130 stained glass windows, and an interior painted with brightly-coloured murals, the building had no pews or electricity. Light was provided by hundreds of candles and parishioners stood during services.

On 19 August 1966, lightning struck the church and it burned to the ground. The present church was built to replace it, at a cost of $93,000. The first Mass took place on 11 March 1968.

Congregation and volunteer builders at the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at Mountain Road (circa 1924) Source: Catherine Bowd, 2021-0119 St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at Mountain Road (no date) by Albert E. Morrish Source: Catherine Bowd, 2021-0120 Postcard view of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at Mountain Road (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2018-0128 St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church behind the two Mountain Road School buildings (no date) by W. C. Hartley Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs, GR8461, A0233, C131-2, page 116. St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at Mountain Road (April 2016) Source: George Penner Interior of bell tower (September 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church monument, along with one for Mountain Road School (July 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.44660, W99.65792 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Mountain Road School No. 1432 (RM of Rosedale)

Sources:

Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Winnipeg Archeparchy by Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1991.

We thank Al Krukewich, Gloria Romaniuk, George Penner, Rose Kuzina, and Catherine Bowd for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 14 December 2021

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