Redwater AB Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1911

Redwater, Alberta, Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church and Cemetery in the Name of Saints Peter and Paul, 1911

Prehistory

In the early 1900s, a group of pioneers, who originally had come from Galicia and Bukovina, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, homesteaded in the Redwater, Alberta, Canada, area, which is northeast of Edmonton, in what is now Sturgeon County.

They soon felt the need of having a Temple and a cemetery of their own. As had been their custom in Eastern Europe, and because of their love for the Lord, they preferred to have a Temple nearby in which they could worship the Lord, even at times when a priest was not available.

Formation of the community, 1906

In 1906, Hryhorie Kostuik, Peter Lakusta and Alexander Sawka started the planning of establishing a Temple and parish. They were joined by Mike Wintoniak. They were soon joined by many others as the news spread about the possibility. They began to cut logs in the Opal area, and they hauled them to the construction site. Progress was, nevertheless, slow.

Construction begins, 1910

In 1910, a membership drive was started, and a building committee was elected. This committee acquired property from Kozma Onyschuk, and they proceeded with their plans for construction.

The site which had been acquired consisted of 10 acres (4 hectares) of land at the land description site SE 1/4 34-57-22-W4. This was at that time called the Eastgate District.

First Temple, incorporation, 1911

In 1911, the members started to build a log Temple, which was completed the following year.

In this year, the parish was formally established and incorporated as "The Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul of Redwater Alberta".

The cemetery was also established on the same site.

Establishing and clarifying the parish by-laws, 1912

In 1912, basic rules and regulations were established for the governing of parish life. There was an agreement that the term of service for the trustees would be 3 years. The first trustees elected were :

 Dmytro Kostiuk ; George Melnyk ; Alexander Sawka ; Mike Wintoniak.

From this time, the parish began to be served by the priests of the "Russian Mission" of the Diocese of North America and the Aleutians in the region, but no records remain of who they were or how frequently the parish was served by a visiting priest.

At the annual meeting of 1915, the trustees were elected according to a 3, 2 and 1 year term. The following trustees were elected :

 Alexander Sawka (3) ; William Kostiuk (2) ; Kozma Onyschuk (1) ; Dmytro Kostiuk, secretary.

Part of the Diocese of Canada, 1916

When, in 1916, the Diocese of Canada was established by the assignment of Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) to Winnipeg, Manitoba, this community became a part of that diocese, along with all the other communities.

In 1926, the parish agreed to by-laws with 18 clauses, which were translated into English. The signatories were :

 George Ewasiw (trustee) ; Dmytro Kostiuk (secretary) ; John Hunchak ; Dmytro Melnyk ; George Melnyk ; 
 Nick Onyschuk ; Steve Osadchuk ; Steve Petriliak ; Nick Steffin.

It was in the same year that Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church was established in Redwater.

Formal incorporation, 1929

In 1929, the parish of Saints Peter and Paul was incorporated with the Registrar under the Societies Act of Alberta, and the by-laws were registered at the same time. The community continued to develop and to prosper.

In 1930, a church bell was imported from Europe, and the following year a temporary bell-house was built and closed in. The extra space in the belfry was used for storage purposes.

World War II 1939-1945

World War II began in 1939. Many young people served in the military, and in various industrial cities.

Second Temple, 1944

By the 1940s, the original building was becoming crowded. The members decided to build a new and larger Temple. It took several years of planning and fundraising.

In the spring of 1944, the construction of the new Temple was started with the hiring of a lead carpenter. Much of the construction was undertaken by the volunteer labour of some of the members.

In 1945, the building was stuccoed. While the Temple was being built, the church supplies and materials were stored in the bell-house. However, the bell-house was struck by lightening, and the supplies, bell and the bell-house itself were completely destroyed by the fire that ensued.

The sisterhood of the parish was very active, and the women contributed greatly to the well-being of the parish.

Views of Saints Peter and Paul Temple

Parish hall constructed

A parish hall was constructed 1.6 km (1 mile) south of the Temple. Picnics and concerts were held there regularly. A choir director was hired, and the youth and parishioners were involved in the choir and other cultural activities such as drama. A residence near the hall was built for a resident priest. This house was used by the Priest Metro Tomkewich for some years.

Rural depopulation

Along with other parishes in the country, this rural community began a time of decline which came with the depopulation of the rural areas as a result of changes in agricultural policies. As a result of this decline, the hall fell into disuse, and eventually it was sold.

Charitable status, 1989

Once "Revenue Canada" (now "Canadian Revenue Agency") began to accept identifiable contributions to churches which registered with them as charitable organisations, and they accepted these contributions as tax-deductible amounts, the parish registered as a organisation. In 1989, it received the Federal Charities registration number 890605942 RR 0001.

Move to the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, 1970s

Since the 1970s, this parish has been served by the clergy of the Canadian Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate.

In 1986, a professional painter was hired to paint the interior of the Temple.

In 1987, the old fence was replaced with a new fencing. The grounds around the Temple and the cemetery were completely enclosed with this fencing.

Declining numbers, fewer services

Although the Faithful who have remained in the area (and also in the Edmonton area) have continued to care for the Temple and the cemetery, their numbers continued to be reduced through rural depopulation. Because of the consequent lack of financial resources, it became difficult to have more than a very few services in any year. The windows of the Temple itself were covered with wood in order to protect it against possible vandalism.

However, because the City of Edmonton continues to expand steadily northwards, and because smaller settlements in the region began to grow also, the possibility remains for future growth.

Re-painting the exterior of the Temple

By 2023, Mr. Fred Hrynchuk had undertaken some major re-painting projects on the exterior of the Temple. He planned to continue the re-painting for the well-being of the structure in the face of the elements.

Eastern side of the Temple after partial re-painting

The Temple before re-painting

Priests who have served in this parish include :

 Priest Metro Tomkewich
 Archpriest Thaddeus Ewachniuk			1928-1936
 Archpriest Andrew Kokolsky			1948-1968
 Archpriest John Voronko
 Archpriest Michael Fourik			1988-1999
 Archpriest John Shandra			1999-2008
 Priest Alexey Surayev			2013-____

Various photos of the Temple

Aerial photos

Special photos

Aurora borealis ; Sunset ; Prayers at sunset

Saint Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Cemetery of Redwater, 1911

Cemetery sign

The cemetery of Saints Peter and Paul parish is situated adjacent to the Temple, but nearer to the road.

There are more than 75 known graves in this cemetery.

There is an annual service of prayer at the graves in the cemetery, after the Feast of Pascha. This annual service is well-attended, and the priest prays for the departed who rest in this cemetery as he blesses the graves.

View of the cemetery

View of the cemetery and the Temple

Parish particular information

This parish is a part of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada. 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, 29 June/12 July.

In 2024, the parish is served by the Priest Alexey Surayev.

Address :

Saints Peter and Paul Russo Greek Orthodox Church

Land description site SE 1/4 34-57-22-W4, Range Road #222

Redwater, Alberta

T0A 2W0

Mailing address :

c/o Fred Hrynchuk

P.O. Box 234

Redwater, Alberta

T0A 2W0

Directions :

Redwater is located approximately 62 km (39 mi) northeast of Edmonton, in Sturgeon County.

From Edmonton, follow the Fort Road and Manning Drive (Highway #15) north, and continue on Highway #15 as far as the turn to Fort Saskatchewan. Keep to the left on Highway #825, and follow this highway as it turns left (north) until it arrives at Highway #28. Turn right on Highway #28, and drive towards Redwater (but do not continue all the way to the town). Before arriving at the junction of Highway #28 with Highway #38, turn left (north) at Range Road #222. Drive 1.6 km (1 mi) north.

From Redwater, drive west on Highway #38 to Highway #28, and on to Range Road #222. Turn right on Range Road #222 and drive 1.6 km (1 mi) north.

Priest Alexey Surayev, Pastor of the parish

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

Canada Telephone : (780) 420-9945

United Kingdom Telephone : 011-44-207-584-0096

E-mail : sourozhdiocese@me.com

The Temple of Saints Peter and Paul (photo by www.aerophoto.ru)

References

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

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.

"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 Mission in North America

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.

Additional information :

Original article

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in Canada web-site

Wikipedia article about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church in Canada

Saint Tikhon (Belavin)

Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)