Grande Prairie AB Holy Trinity Orthodox Church 2000: Difference between revisions
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Grande Prairie AB Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner Orthodox Church 2000
Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner Orthodox Church, Grande Prairie, Alberta, 2000
Prehistory
The area known as Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, is located on the traditional territory of the Dane-zaa (“Real People” in their language, “Beaver People” by English-speakers). The Dane-zaa began trading with the North West Company at Fort Dunvegan on the Peace River in the early 1800s. The earliest recorded reference to the prairie was by trader Samuel Black in 1824.
At first, the name given in English was “Buffalo Plains” because of the great herds of bison there. Émile Grouard, a Roman Catholic Priest, was the first to refer to the area as “La Grande Prairie”. In 1881, a Hudson's Bay Company trading post called Grande Prairie was established by George Kennedy, 21 km northwest of the present city.
When 17 townships were surveyed for homesteading in 1909, a “land-rush” soon followed. Many settlers arrived from Edson, Alberta, via a rough wagon trail that opened in April, 1911.
By 1912, Grande Prairie included a bank, hotel, post office and land office. With these services in place, Grande Prairie became a district metropolis, leading to its incorporation as a village 2 years later. In 1916, the village became the terminus of the Edmonton, Dunvegan, and British Columbia Railway. After the influx of more settlers, Grande Prairie became a town in 1919.
Historically, Grande Prairie, not have an Orthodox Christian parish. However, in the countryside to the north, there were several Orthodox Christian parishes which were established in the earlier part of the 20th century. These communities include : Holy Trinity Russo Greek Orthodox Church at Woking ; Holy Trinity Russo Orthodox Church at Spirit River (Devale) ; Saints Peter and Paul Russo Orthodox Church at North Star (Manning) ; [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Manning_AB_Descent_of_the_Holy_Ghost_Romanian_Orthodox_Church_1953 Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church at Manning. For a time, there was also a missionary community at Fort Saint John, northeast British Columbia, that had developed from the missionary activity in Grande Prairie at that time.
Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko, the only priest resident in the region, served the Holy Trinity Temple at Spirit River (Devale), Holy Trinity Church at Woking, Saints Peter and Paul Church at North Star (Manning), and Holy Trinity Church at Spirit River, until his repose in 1944. Father Evtimi Pashchenko, a priest of the “Metropolia” (Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America), the direct ancestor of The Orthodox Church in America, had served in these parishes since about 1930. During the years of his pastorate, the parishes in this region were all under the same ecclesiastical administration. The division did not occur until 1946.
However, from the very beginning, the distance from Edmonton, Alberta, (or Vancouver, British Columbia) often made providing pastoral service difficult, and sometimes nearly impossible. Because the Moscow Patriarchate diocese had more access to clergy at that time, and also a bishop resident in Edmonton, some clergy were available to travel to the northwest on a regular basis. This service has continued until the present.
However, attempts to establish a lasting English-speaking community, often repeated, still faced the obstacle of the lack of available clergy.
Until the present, the most necessary element, a resident priest, has not been able to be repeated since the earliest times.
Previous attempts in Grande Prairie
Saint Philip the Apostle Mission, 1999
Saint Philip the Apostle Orthodox Mission was a community in the Archdiocese of Canada of The Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
In October, 1999, the first Divine Liturgy service was celebrated by Father Dennis Pihach, and Deacon Andrew Piasta, at the Stanford Inn Hotel in Grande Prairie. The next service was celebrated in November, 1999, again with Father Dennis and Deacon Andrew, in the chapel of Northern Funeral Alternatives, 10212-102 Street, which served thereafter as the place of gathering.
During the following year, the community, through the efforts of the members, put together a complete chapel (Altar Table, tetrapod, icons, etc.) as well as the vestments, and the vessels necessary for celebrating the Divine Liturgy.
They continued to meet at this chapel regularly, and, of course, there was hope that with God’s Grace, there could someday be a Temple (church building).
The mission was officially blessed in 2000.
From that time, for many years, clergy travelled from Edmonton to care for the mission. However, there was always difficulty in finding clergy who were able to drive the approximately 5 hours each way. Of course, at this stage, there was neither sufficient financial resources, nor available candidates, to allow for a resident priest. There seems not to have been the appropriate work available locally, even if a priest were available. Grande Prairie was still not large.
These factors, together with the comings and goings of those who made up the mission, kept it from developing further.
Nevertheless, even when the Archdiocese of Canada lacked the personnel, the Moscow Patriarchate administration in Edmonton continued to send a priest periodically to serve the rural Temple at Holy Trinity Church, Spirit River, at Holy Trinity Church, Woking, and at Saints Peter and Paul Church, North Star/Manning.
The priests who served after Archpriest Evtimi Pashchenko included :
Priest Alexy Shovgeniuk ; 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 (1988-1999) ; Archpriest John Shandra (1999-2008 ; Archpriest Alexey Surayev (2013-____).
The last 3 priests each served for a long period of time in the Peace River region.
It was during the years of service of Father Michael Fourik that a local Protestant pastor, Brian Lehr, was introduced to the Orthodox Christian Faith. This pastor eventually became the pastor of Saint Herman of Alaska Sobor in Edmonton, Alberta, Archpriest Vincent B Lehr.
Move of Holy Trinity Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Woking, Alberta, to Sexsmith, Alberta
In 2017, the Holy Trinity Russo-Orthodox Church of Woking, Alberta, was moved to Sexsmith, Alberta (22 km north of Grande Prairie), where it became part of a museum. This was a move of 34 km to the south. The Temple had become defunct because of too few parishioners. The cemetery remained, however, and there were annual memorial services there (besides any necessary interments). Regardless, the Moscow Patriarchate parish administration made the condition that the Holy Trinity Temple could be used for services, when necessary.
Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church, Sexsmith
Renewal of the mission, 2021
Much of what follows here is taken from or quoted from the history provided by the Parish Council.
At about the time of the move of the Temple to Sexsmith (2017), a few families in the Grande Prairie region had come to the Orthodox Church, and they found each other through our respective priests. In time, they decided that they both wanted and needed an Orthodox Christian Temple in the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta.
One family had been baptised by Father Daniel Friesen of The Orthodox Church in America, in Edmonton. Another family had been baptised by Father Alexey Surayev, of the Moscow Patriarchate, in Chipman, Alberta. Three other families were immigrants who had been baptised in Bulgaria, and in Ukraine. Father Alexey Surayev, and Father Viktor Kramarenko (from Red Deer, Alberta) (ROCOR) came to visit us in 16 April, 2021, to talk to us about establishing a parish. We were told we were “trying to grow a flower at the North Pole”, but they were open to helping us.
Since, because of the condition attached to the Holy Trinity Temple's move to Sexsmith, that the Temple could be used, the group of Faithful were given that Temple from Woking, and also their space on the roster of the visiting priest, Father Alexey Surayev.
On 17 April, 2021, the first Divine Liturgy for this community was offered. In attendance were 9 adults, and 10 children, as well as 2 priests.
The parishioners were given the advice to establish a life of prayer as a parish – and they began to pray the Akathist weekly almost immediately. They started also to pray a Reader’s Service (Typica) every week.
There were not services very often, but they worked on getting the necessary incorporation documents, and the charitable status. They did meet to pray together. God sent more people, and the mission community started a Facebook page so that people could find the community. The parishioners had thought that more recent immigrants would be interested in an Orthodox parish ; but the Russia/Ukraine conflict was very divisive, and so was the fact of membership in the Moscow Patriarchate.
Incorporation
The community was incorporated as :Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Sexsmith".
Icon of the Hospitality of Abraham, called "Holy Trinity"
More children were being born, weddings were happening, new catechumens were being taught and baptised. The little Temple which was being used was small to start with, unheated, and it lacked any toilet facilities or eating-place. In the early days, they would organise an outdoor potluck weekly across the street on the museum property ; but that was impossible in the winter.
Then they found a property for rent in Grande Prairie. It was simply a windowless storage room in a brick office building, on this second floor. The landlord was kind, and only charged them $500.00. They were able also to use another larger space in the same building for coffee time, and for potlucks as well.
Services at the second site
Eventually, they out-grew that space as well.
This time, the community moved into the second floor of another business, and they did a little renovation. They had built a portable iconostas, and they redid the flooring, bought carpets, and hung icons. Saint John the Baptist Russo Greek Orthodox Church donated a surplus chandelier, and other parishes donated table coverings. Father Vladimir (Lysak) donated a lovely Altar Table. They had begun a little lending library, and a bookstore as well. This space had its own bathroom, a sink, and a breakroom where we could have our potluck meals.
Service with Father John
Renewal of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, now at Sexsmith
On 15 April, 2022, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church was re-established at Sexsmith, Alberta. This renewal had come about during the years of the pastorate in the northern parishes of Archpriest Alexey Surayev.
While he was serving in the northern parishes, there began to be an increase in the number of Orthodox Christians (and of those who wished to enter the Orthodox Christian Church) in the Grande Prairie region, and those who had benefitted previously from missionary activity in the area expressed an interest in renewing this missionary venture.
At the time, Father Alexey advised them that they did need a full time priest. However, there was no hope of being assigned one by the Moscow Patriarchate administration, because of the agreement between the Moscow Patriarchate and the OCA after the 1970 granting of autocephaly that the Patriarchal Administration not open new parishes in North America.
Even though the parish in Sexsmith had been revived, Sexsmith is a substantial distance from Grande Prairie itself, and there was a desire to begin again in the city. Because of various complications in inter-jurisdictional relationships, the Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes were unable to establish a new entity in Canada, and the community sought for a possible pastor in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) Diocese of Montreal and Canada.
In early 2023, the community was accepted by Archbishop Gabriel (Chemodakov).
Name-change
It was in this context that, on 4 July, 2023, the name of the Grande Prairie Mission was changed to “Holy Trinity Orthodox Church”.
During the earlier attempts 25 years before, the mission had used the New (Revised Julian) Calendar, but all the rural parishes in the northwest of Alberta were accustomed to the Old (Julian) Calendar, which they have continued to follow.
At the blessing of Archbishop Gabriel, the Priest John Castillo, from Windsor, Ontario, agreed to move there to become their priest.
After having served the services for Holy Week and Pascha, and after the parish established a “Gofundme appeal” in 2024, a good amount of money was raised. This helped at first to enable Father John to travel to Grande Prairie to serve.
The appeal stated :
Fr. John and his family are requesting financial help to move and purchase a home in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The basement of their home will serve as the Church building for the parish. The mission parish currently does not have a permanent home and has been using rented office space and a hall for its services.
In the course of 2024, there were 13 baptisms in the parish. Clearly, the time(s) that Father John spent in Grande Prairie opened doors, and bore fruit.
However, it was not to be. Because very serious family health reasons arose, Father John understood in early 2025 that he would not be able to make the move, even though he offered to continue coming occasionally to assist. It was necessary that he and his wife remain in Windsor.
First Pascha as a parish
The community celebrated their first Pascha as a parish in 2023, with Father John Castillo of ROCOR leading the services. For these services, because it was understood that there would be many extra people, they rented the Crystal Creek Hall, which proved to be a great fit for them on occasions of larger services, although it is a lot of work to transport everything.
Father John came and served the Pascha services, to the great joy and delight of the parishioners. However, he and Matushka Maria were not able to move there from Ontario, due to their elderly parents’ health needs.
Paschal food blessing with Father John
In 2024, Pascha was celebrated again, with Father Nykolai of the ROCOR.
In 2025, they were overjoyed to enjoy not only Pascha but 2 full months of regular services with Father Maximus Fard of ROCOR.
In 2025, there were 15 visits from 3 priests, resulting in 46 services, and there had priests visiting in every month. That year, there were also 12 e baptisms. Glory be to God !
However, it was not to be. Because very serious family health reasons arose, Father John understood in early 2025 that he would not be able to make the move, even though he offered to continue coming occasionally to assist. It was necessary that he and his wife remain in Windsor.
By that time, the parishioners understood that the ROCOR would not be able to find a priest ready and willing to move to Grande Prairie. It was perceived that there might be greater hope to have a priest in time if they switched to the OCA.
Palm Sunday Litya
Move to the Archdiocese of Canada, The Orthodox Church in America
Father Vincent Lehr, the Dean of the Alberta Parishes, graciously accepted the community, with the blessing of Archbishop Irenee, and he continued to send priests to them, as well as agreeing that Father Alexey and some of the ROCOR priests who are available and willing may do so also.
He replaced the antimens the community had received from ROCOR, and the changeover was very smooth, although we celebrate according to the Old Calendar still, as we have since the beginning, while many of the OCA parishes are on the New Calendar.
In this context, the parishioners have had iconography lessons with Father Vladimir (Lysak) ; travelled to see and venerate the relics of Saint Gabriel ; shared icons and souvenirs from private travels, and participated in many services.
Another name change
On 8 February, 2026, the name of the mission was changed again to “Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner Orthodox Church”.
Since the ROCOR diocese was unable to provide them another priest, the parish council contacted the Dean of Alberta for the Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America, to ask whether they could come under the omophor of Archbishop Irénée (Rochon), and whether he might help them to find a priest. Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) gave the blessing. The Dean, Archpriest Vincent Lehr, was forthright with the parish council about the severe shortage of priests at this time, and he promised to do his best in supplying them with clergy in order to bring them Holy Communion at least once per month.
Continuing mission development
Since mid-2026, the missionary community has continued their custom of offering Reader’s services (Typika) each week, and one of the priests of the Alberta Deanery travels to Grande Prairie to serve Vespers and the Divine Liturgy in the mission.
Particular parish information
The Mission of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner is a mission of the Alberta Deanery of the Archdiocese of Canada in The Orthodox Church in America. The Dean is Archpriest Vincent Lehr. The bishop is Archbishop Irénée (Rochon).
This parish follows the Old (Julian) Calendar.
Altar Feast-day Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner, 24 June/7 July.
In 2026, the mission was served by Deanery of Alberta clergy.
Address :
10530-117 Avenue #4 (upstairs, above Speedo Signs)
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 7N7
Telephone : (780) 513-4301
Meeting place, 2026, view from 117 Avenue
Directions :
From Edmonton :
Drive on Highway #16 (Yellowhead) westwards from the city. After Manly Corner, at the junction with Highway #43 north, turn right onto Highway #43 north. Continue driving on this highway. Pass Whitecourt and Fox Creek, and do not turn off this highway as it passes many exits, and makes a turn to the west. Continue driving as the highway passes through other turns and centres, the last of which is Besanson. At the next turning, and junction with Highway #2 at Westlake, turn to the left, and drive southwards into Grande Prairie. At 116 Avenue, turn right onto 116 Avenue, and drive until 105 Street. Turn right, and drive north to 117 Avenue (on the left). At the second intersection, turn right, into a shopping-centre. The meeting-place is on the right, and upstairs.
Archpriest Archpriest Vincent Lehr, Dean of Alberta
Telephone : 780-484-9804
References
Additional information :
Orthodox World listing for Saint Philip the Apostle Church
Orthodoxwiki list of Alberta Orthodox Parishes
Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)
Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)
Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)
Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)
Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)
Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtsov)
Archbishop Joasaph (Skorodumov)
Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk)
Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach)
Wikipedia article about Grande Prairie, Alberta
Wikipedia article about the Peace River region of Alberta
“History of Patriarchal Parishes of Russian Orthodox Church in Canada”
Canadian Encyclopaedia article about the Orthodox Church
Wikipedia article about the Russian Diaspora
Wikipedia article about the Ukrainian Diaspora