Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (737 Bannerman Avenue, Winnipeg)

Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

This Winnipeg church which seats 750, replaced an older wooden structure at 612 Flora Avenue. The traditional Ukrainian Catholic church and adjoining monastery, both of Tyndall stone exterior, were built at a cost $750,000. The featured concrete dome form trust and stress was designed by the local architectural firm of Green, Blankstein, Russell and Associates. Also involved with the building process was parishioner-architect Alex W. Nitchuk as project manager, designer Bernard Brown, and structural engineer S. J. Borgford. The construction involved some 2,000 cubic yards of concrete. The main entrance to the church featured a raised forecourt with a central pool and fountain, both since removed. The congregation is served by the Monastery for the Basilian Order of Monks.

The church was dedicated on 10 July 1966 by Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk at a ceremony attended by some 2000 guests. Dignitaries included municipal and provincial officials, amongst whom were Premier Duff Roblin and Winnipeg Mayor Stephen Juba, along with numerous Ukrainian Catholic Church officials, notably Vicar-General Basil Kushnir, Very Reverend Myron Daciuk, Very Reverend Nicholas Kohut (New York, USA), Very Reverend Jerome Chimy (Rome, Italy), father provincial Very Reverend Paul Magula, Winnipeg chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese Very Reverend Monsignor D. Shewchuk, Dean of Winnipeg Very Reverend Monsignor J. Pulak, and the Very Reverend Stephan Semchuk.

Clerics

Period	Cleric
1904-1906	Matthew Myron Hura (1873-1925)
1907-1922	Athanasius Nicholas Filipow (1870-1937)
1922-1924	Matthew Myron Hura (1873-1925)
1924-1933	Athanasius Nicholas Filipow (1870-1937)
1933-1935	Nicon Horechko
1935-1937	Basil Volodymyr Kamenecky (1898-1970)
1937-1940	George Gabriel Zydan (1896-1977)
1940-1942	Josaphat John Tymochko (1896-1969)
1942-1950	Joseph Senkiw
1950	Basil Volodymyr Kamenecky (1898-1970)
1950-1958	Ambrose Andrew Wynnyk (1903-1966)
1958-1964	Raphael Stephen Melnyk (1923-1990)
1964-1970	Volodymyr Basil “Vladimir” Shewchuk (1917-1994)
1970-1976	Myron Michael Daciuk (1919-1996)
1976-1982	Raphael Stephen Melnyk (1923-1990)
1982-1985	Leon Yakubow
1985-1995	Cornelius Pasichny
1995-2000	Joseph Pidskalny
2000-?	Athanasius McVay

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0037 St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (October 2014) Source: Nathan Kramer Aerial view of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (June 2020) Source: George Penner Interior of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (December 2015) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.93215, W97.14718 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

MHS Centennial Organization: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery (4365 Main Street, RM of West St. Paul)

Sources:

“New churches for the West,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 May 1904, page 1.

“[Excavation ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, July 1904, page 10.

“Church completion,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 December 1904, page 6.

“New St. Nicholas dedication Sunday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1966, page 28.

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church: Celebrating 100 Years—Together for Tomorrow Winnipeg: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2006. GEN F 5649.W55 St.Nic.1 [Legislative Library]

St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Historical Highlights, Present Building, and Necrology.

We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 28 April 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!