Wow What a magnificent structure Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church truly is. Look at its Byzantine Revival style. It’s a testament to the enduring faith and rich cultural heritage of Ukrainian Americans in New York City. This isn’t just any church. It’s a living monument to a community’s journey.
Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church wasn’t always here on 7th Street and Taras Shevchenko Place. The story begins over a century ago. The first Ukrainian liturgy in New York City was held blocks away in the basement of St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church. Can you imagine? A small humble beginning for such a grand structure.
As the Ukrainian community grew they needed a larger space. First they purchased the Colgate Chapel. They then moved to the Seventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church also known as the Bowery Village Church. This church dating back to the 1840s served Little Germany’s immigrant population. This building was adapted to serve Byzantine style services. It became affectionately known as the Old Church.
But growth continued. The community outgrew even this larger space. So they built the present church between 1976 and 1978. Architect Apollinaire Osadca designed it. He drew inspiration from ancient Ukrainian Byzantine architecture. The cost was a remarkable $2500000. The church boasts a capacity of 1000 people.
For decades Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church served as a center for Ukrainian Americans. It was a spiritual home a political hub and a place of cultural celebration. Andrij Dobriansky a principal artist with the Metropolitan Opera served as liturgical cantor and choir director for many years. His legacy lives on. His children documented his work in the PBS series Bare Feet in NYC.
Today Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church stands tall. It’s a vibrant testament to resilience faith and cultural pride. It’s a place where history and spirituality intertwine. It continues to serve as a spiritual anchor for the Ukrainian American community in New York City. A place to connect with faith heritage and community.