INNISFREE – EXALTATION of the HOLY CROSS Parish

INNISFREE – EXALTATION of the HOLY CROSS Parish – Парафія Воздвиження Чесного Хреста

Location: North-east portion of Lot 6, Bl. 52, Range 10 (4 acres of hilly land and 2 acres of cemetery ; 13 km. from the town of Innisfree). The church was built in 1910. The property was incorporated by Mr. V. Hlushak in 1911. Originally there were 44 members, among them: V. Hlushak, I. Verbytskyi, T. Melnyk, I. Iukhym, N. Savchuk, M. Laniuk, D. Voi, S. Motyka, M. Havirko, S. Hayduk, A. Havryliuk, I. Saik, M. Pylyp, A. Skish and N. Kits. The Parish welcomed Bishop Vasyl Ladyka on June 19, 1939 and Bishop Nykyta Budka in 1914. During later years Bishop Neil Savaryn, Bishop Demetrius Greschuk (he originally came from that Parish), Bishop Myron Daciuk and Bishop Lawrence Huculak were coming with an official pastoral visit.

A hall was constructed in 1927 for $780.00 and was incorporated under the name: Prosvita Hall in honor of Taras Shevchenko ( Читальня Просвіти ім.Т. Шевченка). The statutes were prepared by Michael P. Luchkovych on March 16, 1924. There were many excellent performances on the stage of the hall, which housed one of the best collections of Ukrainian national costumes. The school teachers were the leading force, and some of their names are known to us today: M.P. Luchkovych, Voyevidka, Oleksa Hryhorovych, Semen Voloshyn, Mrs. Nykyforuk, Adam Babiuk and his wife. Surrounded by some communists, the Ukrainian Catholic faithful strongly defended their values. Some names of the community and hall leaders: Hlushak, Saik, Iuriy Franko, Kits, Verbitskyj, Greschuk.

Fr. Roman Starodub, who served the community from 1956 provided us with a short description of the neighbourhood: The church community pays the highest respect to its church and all the events surrounding an active church life. The farmers working the hilly land are not very wealthy and are unable to financially support all the needs of the community. However, they are very proud of their Ukrainian heritage and extremely dedicated to their Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

The Basilian priests who served the Parish from the beginnings: Fr. Naucratius Kryzanowsky, Fr. Sozont Dydyk, Fr. Josaphat Tymochko, Fr. Porphyrius Bodnar, Fr. Sophron Diakowich, Fr. Innocent Rychkun, Fr. Sebastian Shewchuk, Fr. Matthew Sianchuk, Fr. Martyrius Vincentaylo, Fr. Benjamin Baranyk, Fr. Basil Ladyka, Fr. Paul Hewko and Fr. Markian Pasichnyk.

From 1949 the Eparchial clergy served the community: Fr. Nicholas Diadio (1949), Fr. Bohdan Hanushewsky (1950-1952), Fr. Yaroslaw Fedunyk (1953-1956), Fr. Roman Starodub (1956-1985), Fr. Benny Ambrose (1986-1995), Fr. Ron Hollohan (1996), Deacon Michael Schaplowsky (1997-2000) and from 2000 different clergy provides spiritual services.