Rev. Metro Ponich


	Rev. Metro Ponich Source unknown. Alberta's first Ukrainian methodist minister, Rev. Metro Ponich, died in Edmonton recently at the age of 98. Ponich was born in Toporutz in the province of Bukovina in western Ukraine on Oct. 7, 1887. His family emigrated to Canada when he was two and settled at Pakan, just south of Smoky Lake. Ponich played an important part in the history of Alberta, spearheading the Protestant church among the early Ukrainian pionners, says Mary Lobay, member of the Board of Governors of Alberta College. In 1910, Ponich enrolled in Alberta College, one of the first Ukrainian students to do so. In 1912 he enrolled at St. Stephen's College in tehology and graduated in 1915, becoming Alberta's first Ukrainian minister, Lobay said. Prior to enrolling at Alberta College, he worked as an interpreter and lay minister in Pakan for Dr. C. Lawford, a missionary doctor, whose mandate was not only to spread the gospel but to build a hospital and church, she said. The church, built in the early 1900s, is now an historic site. Ponich also served in Edmonton at Buchanan United, McQueen United (now known as Bissell United) and Beverly United churches. He retired to British Columbia in 1943 due to failing health, but continued with his life work. He started the Ukrainian Protest church in Kelowna and organized a new church in Vancouver. in 1973, Ponich returned to Edmonton and, for the last decade, resided in the Angus McGugan Nursing Home. He was predeceased by his son Paul Vladimer in 1919, another son Paul Victor in 1972 and his wife Madgelena in 1975. He is survived by his sons George, Peter and Andy of Edmonton, Laddie of Mill Bay, B.C., 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Return to the People's Stories menu Return to the Settlement Menu Or the Missions Menu or back to the Smoky Lake History Archive