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By Alex Makowichu and Wm Prinak. From the Our Legacy History Book. Edwand Russian Greek Orthodox Church Farming in the Edwand area had just begun in 1900 when the death of a 22 year old Wasyl Maskalyk in 1903 made it urgent for the neighbours to choose a location for a Church and cemetery. The decision was made for N,W,L,S,5sec,26,Twp,59,Rge,16,W of the 4th M. In 1904 two Bozniak children were buried and the Church was begun. Early Church records list the following people who donated towards the building: Wasyl Chipiniuk, Gawrelo Billey, George Bozniak, Simeon Bozniak, Steve Danyliuk, Mike Graganiuk, Dmetro Elaschuk, Nick Fedorak, Wasyl Franchuk, Metro Grekul, Teodor Harasem, Petro Halisky, Tom Hunchiak, Phillip Hryhirchuk, Andrew Hryhyk, Ivan Kokotilo, Tom Kokotilo, Nykolay Kostiuk, George Krawchuk, Azenty Makowichuk, Wasyl Maskalyk, Mike Melnyk, George Melnyk, Onufry Mykytiuk, John Mykytiuk, Mike Odenak, Jacob Ottawa, Demnian Penchuk, Wasyl Prookopchuk, Alex Ratsoy, Metro Rechalsky, George Rechlo, Semion Rogoza, Nykolay Rosychuk, John Senetza, Alex Skoreyko, Kurylo Skoreyko, Metro Skoreyko, George Skoreyko, Peter Skoreyko, Sando Skoreyko, Steve Skoreyko, Teodore Skoreyko, Wasyl Semiuk, Jacob Slemko, Roman Slemko, Semion Slemko, George Smetaniuk, Wasyl Shupenia, Nykolay Sokolotosky, Tanasko Witwisky, Axenty Wattamaniuk, Jacob Wattamaniuk, George Wolansky, Teodor Zetariuk. Some may have been omitted. The cutting and hauling of logs to the Church site was hard work, but finding a builder was still harder. The decision was to get Teodor Billey from Wostok as head carpenter. The first trustees were Wasyl Chipiniuk, Nykolay Rosychuk, and George Wolansky. They journeyed to Edmonton and for $10.00, received a patent for the Church site and Cemetery on L,S,5sec,26,Twp,59,Rge,16,W of the 4th M. It took three years before the Church was consectrated on the 14th of October 1907; it still stands and is used at presnt. Getting to church was not easy in the early days, the roads were rough trails and there were no bridges. Often it was necessary to ford the creeks. On some occasions, the church goers were treated to an early morning soaking, while attempting to cross the swollen creeks. These experiences did not daunt them nor did it dampen their spirits. The best attendance at church was at the blessing of the Bread at Easter time and on October 14, Pokrowa, the anniversary of the church. In the twenties and thirties the services were held every second or third Sunday, depending on how many services the priest had in other churches in the area. The people in the Edwand community attended church much more than they do now. In those years the farmers had no cars. All drove a team of horses and a wagon or buggy. On days of a service a person could count more wagons, democrats and buffies by the church than there are cars now. On Saturday before Easter, before the blessing of the bread, the boys and girls of the community gathered at the church at about 8:30 in the evening. They built a big bonfire, carrying the dry sticks and brush from a neighbouring farm. They kept the fire burning and waited and watched until the priests arrived at midnight. At midnight all the people went into the church and thee service began. At the end fo the service, the bread and other items of food that each family brougth were blessed. Then everyone left for home. One could hear the wagons ratling for miles announcing that the people were bringing home the blessed bread. October 14 was the day on which the Edwand church held a special service, as this was a feast day (a chram). It was a community holiday at which time people went to church and then celebrated by hosting dinners in their homes. Some of the priests who have served in the Edwand church were Rev. Woytowich, Rev. M. Cependa, Rev. Kokolsky, Rev. Chrustawka, Rev. Wasyl, Rev. Sasewich, Rev. Rebalka, Rev. Olendy, Rev. Diachyna, and the present priest, Rev. L. Kubin. Monk Cherashyn also served. Many more priests held services in the Edwand church but there are no clear records. The church and cemetery have played an important part in the Edwand community. The cemetery now has close to 550 graves. In it are the graves of most of the first pioneers of the area, also members of the airforce and army. A small church hall built on the grounds has proven to be very useful and is still used today. It contains a small kitchen and a dining area. This hall was put to use when on October 14, 1979, the church celebrated its 75th anniversary. A large congregation of 230 people took part in a service conducted by Rev. L. Kubin, Rev Scherban and the Bishop of the church. There were guests from surrounding towns and from Edmonton. There was a donation of $574.00 for the upkeep of the church. After the service a pot-luck dinner was enjoyed by all. Return to the Ukrainian Churches
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