Hear that gentle hum? That’s the spirit of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. It has been a Vancouver cornerstone for nearly a century. The story of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church begins humbly. In 1927, Vancouver became a hub for Ukrainian Catholic missionaries. That year, they bought land with a chapel on Fraser Street. This marked the start of St. Stephen’s Greek Catholic Church. The Order of St. Basil the Great began serving the community in 1937.
Growth spurred change for St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. In 1944, the parish acquired the Swedish Lutheran Church. It was located on Princess and Pender. The first Divine Liturgy occurred there on May 7, 1944. It was then named the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, it’s commonly known as St Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish.
More growth meant another move for St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The parish purchased the current site in 1962. It is located at 550 West 14th Avenue. Over 1,500 parishioners attended the first open-air Divine Liturgy on September 9, 1962. A former laundry facility became the parish center. It evolved into the Ukrainian Catholic Centre. A monastic residence and temporary church followed in 1968.
The present Byzantine-style church opened in 1982. Julian Jastremsky, a New York City architect, designed it. Boris Makarenko and his son Sviatoslav created the stained-glass windows, icons, and mosaics. The temporary church became St. Mary’s Recreation Centre in 1983/84. In 1973, St. Mary’s Gardens was built. It provided 90 housing units for senior citizens.
St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrated milestones in 2002. It marked 75 years since its establishment. It also celebrated 65 years of service by the Basilian Fathers. Plus, it marked 60 years of the parish choir.
The parish is more than just a church. St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church is a community hub. Heads of the Ukrainian Catholic Church have visited. This includes the Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. His visit coincided with significant anniversaries. These included the 100th anniversary of Canada’s first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop.
Even a pandemic could not stop St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The church closed in March 2020. Online streaming of liturgies became the norm. Services resumed with restrictions in June 2020.
Today, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church continues its mission. It offers Divine Liturgy in English and Ukrainian. The Basilian Fathers still serve the parish. The emblem of the Order represents faith, love, courage, and peace. It signifies Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Just as the motto says: Talis est Basilius Magnus – Such is Basil the Great.
So next time you pass by St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, remember its journey. From humble beginnings to a vibrant community center. It stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and Ukrainian culture in Vancouver.