Ukrainian church in Sudbury sees influx of parishioners from Ukraine, launches renovation effort
St. Volodymyr's Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Baker Street is seeing an influx of new parishioners as more families from Ukraine settle in Sudbury.
The people running the Sudbury landmark are launching fundraising efforts to bring the church back to its original glory.
"We have been very blessed that some of them have come to Sudbury," said Peter Zloczewski, president of St. Volodymyr's Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
“We are hoping to have a spiritual restoration here within the church to allow these people to have a community where they can share their language, where they can join in with others to worship.”
The church is a unique landmark in Sudbury. Domes adorn the rooftop and inside there are brightly painted biblical figures and stained glass windows.
"Church populations have been decreasing but we have the opportunity now to increase our population at the church due to the Ukrainian immigrants that are coming in because of the war," said Terry Martyn, the choir director at the church.
“They are looking for churches to attend to this is the perfect opportunity to try to revitalize the church.”
Church officials said the building, which dates to the late 1930s, needs structural repairs, from a leaky roof to water damage.
Right now a priest from Toronto travels to Sudbury once every six weeks for divine liturgy. As part of the restoration effort, the church hopes to increase services and obtain a full-time priest.
"Our church is now 85 years young and the rejuvenation that we are experiencing with the recently arrived Ukrainians has brought their families, it's brought children to a church where there was an aging population," said Zloczewski.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent right to your inbox
To help raise the $200,000 needed for the restoration the church is planning upcoming fundraisers. Right now it's holding book sales every Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday from 1:30-4 p.m. at the church.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.