North Star (Manning) AB Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1935

North Star (Manning), Alberta, Church and Cemetery in the Name of Saints Peter and Paul, 1935

Prehistory

Contextually, it can be useful to understand that it seems that the first Orthodox Christian settlers in the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia, Canada, were actually Old Believers who settled at Hines Creek, Alberta in the 1920s. They arrived after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Hines Creek is in a different district, far to the south-west of North Star.

Other settlers began to arrive in the area in 1927. At that time, there were small and scattered communities in what was called "Battle River Country", with post-offices named : "North Star", "Notikewin", "Hotchkiss", and "Deadwood". There were many struggles engaged with these rivers by the settlers, who often lost their possessions when the swift rivers overturned their wagons when they tried to ford the crossings. In the years 1929 and 1930, there was a larger influx of settlers. The first graded dirt road was completed in 1929, and bridges were constructed over the more dangerous river-crossings. The nearest railway was at Grimshaw, 24 km (15 mi) distant from the town of Peace River (located by the Peace River). North Star is 113 km (70 mi) north of Peace River. The first schools, one-room log structures, were constructed in 1930.

Beginning of services, 1930

In February, 1930, the Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko led the first service in the area, a funeral for one of the settlers. He had travelled from Rycroft, near Spirit River, which meant a journey of 225 km (140 mi) by horse and cutter.

After this, Father Paschenko led 2 or 3 services in the homes of settlers during the summer.

Constructing the Temple, 1935

In 1935, the new settlers, who had come to North Star from many places in Alberta and Canada, organised the building of an Orthodox Temple. Land was acquired at the land description site on the SE Quarter-5-91-22-W5. The Temple was built of logs during 1935-1936. It was roofed with shingles, and it had a lumber floor.

The original members of the parish included :

 John Fesik ; Danylo Gudzik ; John Guslak ; Wasyl Hnatiuk ; George J Hudema ;  John Hudema ; Peter Hudema ; 
 Gregory Kulovich ; Peter Lapuch ; William Pashko ; George Prosakarchuk ; George Predy ; John L Paulovich ; 
 Lazar Paulovich ; Toder Paulovich ; John Skripnek ; Nick Soroka ; Roman Woloshyn.

The first executive included :

 John Hudema (chairman) ; Lazar Paulovich (secretary-treasurer) ; Toder Paulovich, trustee ; 
 William Pashko, trustee.

On 25 April, 1935, the Alberta Registrar of Joint Stock Companies granted the incorporation of the Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Catholic Parish of North Star, Alberta.

In 1940, the building was set on a concrete foundation, and the walls were finished with siding.

External prayer-table for water-blessing, molebens and panikhidas

10 years

In 1945, Petrash Davidiuk donated a church bell which was set up in a bell-house.

In 1954, the interior of the log Temple was renovated and repainted.

The Temple from the east, facing the cemetery to the west ; exterior table to the left

31 years

In 1966, the floor was covered with linoleum.

Throughout the years, most of the funds needed for the maintenance of the Temple were raised through donations, carolling, socials and raffles. Donations of furnishings were received from other parishes in Alberta.

North Star is truly an outpost of Orthodoxy in Canada. It is located farther north than any other Orthodox parish in Canada, except for the parish of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Zhitsa in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Although small in membership and structure, nevertheless, the faith and spirit of Orthodoxy in this parish is truly strong.

The Temple, with a "modern" replacement for a bell-house

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Cemetery, North Star, Alberta, 1935

The Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Cemetery at North Star, Alberta, was established at about the same time as the parish itself was organised.

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery

In 2022, there were more than 110 interments in the cemetery.

Priests who have served in this community

 Priests who have served in this parish include :
 
 Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko ; Archpriest Evgeniy Bartchewsky ; Archpriest Victor Petluchenko ; 
 Archpriest Boris Grigory ; Archimandrite Vlas (Vitenko) ; Priest Anthony Chilkowich ; 
 Archpriest Nikanor Shymko ; Priest Stefan Abramchuk ; Archpriest John Voronko ; 
 Archpriest Michael Fourik ; Archpriest John Shandra ; Archpriest Alexey Surayev.

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. It is part of the "Orthodox V" group of parishes. The bishop is Bishop Matthew (Andreev).

This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of this parish is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 12 July/29 June.

In 2022, the pastor of the parish is the Priest Alexey Surayev.

Parish sign

Address

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church

North Star, Alberta

T0H 2T0

Directions :

North Star, Alberta, is located 578 km northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. It takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes to drive by car.

From Edmonton, drive west on Highway #16 (Yellowhead). At Spruce Grove, turn right (north) onto Highway #43 and drive on this highway (which joins Highway #2) to Peace River. Drive north on Highway #35 (part of the MacKenzie Highway) to North Star, in Northern Lights County. Turn left (east) at the North Star corner, and drive for about 6 km. The Temple is on the left by the road.

From Peace River, drive west about 20 km on Highway #2 to the intersection with Highway #35 and turn right (north). Drive north about 72 km on Highway #35 to the North Star corner. Turn right (east) and continue straight for about 6 km. The Temple is on the left by the road.

North Star is situated about 7 km south of Manning, Alberta.

The mailing address of the parish is the address of the priest.

Please contact the priest for specific information.

Priest Alexey Surayev, Pastor of the parish

5003-46 Street, PO Box 483

Lamont, Alberta

T0B 2R0

Telephone : (780) 895-2149

Mobile : (780) 991-4981

E-mail : aleksurus@gmail.comv

Bishop Matthew (Andreev) of Sourozh,

Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Addresses :

10812-108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta

Canada

Telephone : (780) 420-9945

OR :

67, Ennismore Gardens

London, SW7 1NH

United Kingdom

Telephone : 011-44-207-584-0096

E-mail : sourozhdiocese@me.com

References

"Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, 100 Years of Orthodoxy in Canada 1897-1997 : Pictorial Memories" (Edmonton : Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1997).

Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, “Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada, Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’” (Edmonton : Russian Orthodox Church History Book Committee, 1988). ISBN: 0-88925-830-9.

Additional information :

Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Patriarchal Parishes in Canada web-site

Patriarchal Parishes in Canada listing

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Church in Canada

Orthodox Church of Russia web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia

Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky)

Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)

Archbishop Jonathan (Kopolovich)

Bishop Job (Smakouz)

Bishop Ioasaph (Skorodumov)

Bishop Makary (Svistun)