St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
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St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish | |
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Kheruvym Chamber Choir |
St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church is a
Church building
Interior
The interior of the church is adorned with
Relief
In the rear, on the west end of the
Grotto
Across the way from the church is a
sometimes used for outdoor services (such as Pascha Blessing). In 2006, Fr. Pavlo's wife, Christine, led a restoration and relandscaping of the grotto into a memorial garden, which is now dedicated to deceased parishioners.History
In August 1956, Archbishop
As the community expanded, Fr. Shary realized the parish needed a larger facility. He saw this as an opportunity to build what he termed a church for "The Glory of God and Future Generations." The church, designed by architect Zenon Mazurkevich of Philadelphia and constructed by Walter Bratkiv of REM Builders, Inc., was dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Jaroslav Gabro on May 22, 1977.
Milestones
The history of St. Joseph begins with Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia officially establishing St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church on August 1, 1956. Father Joseph Shary was sent here as the organizing pastor, who upon his arrival in Chicago was met with an energetic group of Ukrainian Catholics anxious to expand the Chicago Ukrainian religious community into the Northwest Side.
Timeline
On August 21, 1956,
In 1958, building began on Cumberland Avenue. The upper portion became the church, with the addition of pews,
The lower hall became the hub of cultural, social and fund-raising functions, such as parish praznyks, sviachenes, bake sales, choir rehearsals, rummage sales, children's programs, Ukrainian dance lessons, dances, and countless other activities.
On October 1, 1975, construction of the new church edifice began.
On May 22, 1977, Bishop Jaroslav Gabro dedicated the church.
The large rock near the entrance ramp attracted attention to the church. It is a piece of the Canadian Shield brought to the new church's building site. It was retrieved by the contractors during excavation of the foundation. The pastor saved it and had it placed in its present position after construction was completed in 1976.
In 1988, a hand-carved iconostasis, designed in the Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition by Borys Makarenko, was installed in the church.
The Altar
St. Joseph Church Choir was established in August 1956.
For one and a half years, the choir was trained and directed by Father Shary. Julian Pozniak, a qualified and trained cantor and experienced choir director, remained the sole director and
Each Sunday the choir sang
St. Joseph's choir joined with the
The Acres of Fun Festivals, and the Friday night Bingos, along with the Pyrohy sales were major fundraisers for the parish, due in large part to the parish volunteers.
Many young parishioners were in the Sts. Cyril and Methodious Youth Group, were altar servers, orboth. They volunteered at parish events, as well as participating in liturgical services. They volunteered in soup kitchens, participated in retreats and organized citywide youth nights.
Priests over the years
Many of the presiding priests were assigned to St. Joseph Parish while only in their twenties. The first pastor was Fr. Joseph Shary, after whom the parish is named, along with St. Josaphat in Munster, Indiana.
Pastors
- Rev. Joseph Shary 1956-1982
- Msgr. William Bilinsky 1982-1983
- Rev. Andriy Chirovsky 1983-1985
- Rev. Mykhajlo Kuzma 1985-1987
- Msgr. William Bilinsky 1987-1995
- Rev. Pavlo Hayda 1995-2007
- Rev. Mykola Buryadnyk 2008–Present
Current priests
Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk (2009–Present) - Pastor Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph parish in February 2008. Since he came to the parish, he helped establish and revitalize several parish organizations such as the
Gallery
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View from the Choir Loft
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St. Paraskevia Chapel Located behind the Apse of the main church
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Ceiling of the church from the altar showing the dome
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Iconostasis detail depicting the Theotokos.
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Thirteen domes representing thetwelve Disciples and Christ Pantocrator