Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection

Could a church be a missionary venture? The Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection, nestled on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, began as just that. It’s hard to imagine now, with its elegant brownstone neighbors and upscale boutiques, but this area was once considered the “wrong side of the tracks.” The Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection, built in 1868, stood near the New York Central Railroad tracks before they were covered over. The rumble of trains still echoes faintly beneath Park Avenue, a ghostly reminder of the church’s humble beginnings. Founded as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection was initially a working-class parish. Unlike many fashionable Episcopal churches where pews were rented, creating a social hierarchy, this church offered “all sittings free.” It welcomed everyone, rich or poor, emphasizing equality from its inception. The architect was James Renwick Jr., the visionary behind Grace Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection bears a striking resemblance to an English country church. Its roof boasts a beautiful display of hammer beams, tie beams, and crisscrossed braces. A charming, almost theatrical, tower was added in 1905, along with vestibules on Park and Lexington Avenues. Inside, the stone altar, a silent witness to generations of worshippers, remains unchanged. Above it, a carved stone canopy, supported by marble columns and topped with angels, frames a poignant depiction of Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Christ. This scene reflects the church’s original name, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and resonates with its current name, Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection. The original font, crafted from white Caen marble, stands as a testament to the church’s enduring commitment to faith. The pulpit, originally placed on the Epistle side, was moved to its proper Gospel position in 1950. Nearby, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, installed in 2004, houses a Spanish statue of Christ and serves as the National Shrine of the Guild of All Souls. The church’s hanging rood, carved by Dutch sculptor Joep Nicolas, is a thank offering for the fifth anniversary of Father Gordon B. Wadhams’ rectorate in 1940. The Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection is a place of beauty, history, and unwavering faith. Its story, woven from humble beginnings and architectural grandeur, is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and the power of welcoming all who seek solace and spiritual nourishment.