St. PAUL   – PROTECTION of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish 

Парафія Покрови Матері Божої

Fr. George Zydan, OSBM, celebrated the first Divine Liturgy on January 7, 1942 in St. Paul.

The church (66’ x 28’) was built in the northwestern part of the city between 1947 and 1950. The one acre cemetery was purchased in 1952. The first Parish council consisted of three people: Vasyl Yakimech, M. Pikh and O. Vashchak.

The first Divine Liturgy was held in the Roman Catholic Church basement in 1942 by Fr. Epiphany Paschak, OSBM. The Parish has a dedicated group of UCWLC members. Among many dedicated parishioners the faithful recognized as outstanding were Anna Padleska and Petro Boychuk.

In 1958 there were approx. 100 people in attendance at every Liturgy celebrated once a month.

The following Basilian Fathers served the community: Fr. George Zydan (1942- ), and Fr. Sebastian Kurylo (1943- ).

The Eparchial clergy continued from 1949: Fr. Michael Hawryluk (1949), Fr. Michael Gural (1950-1955), Fr. George Maly (1956), Fr. Dmytro Hnat (1957-1980), Fr. Ivan Makuch (1981-1991), Fr. Austin Borynec (1992), Fr. Myron Pyszcz (1993-1996), Fr. Ron Hollohan (1997-1998) and Fr. Roman Dobriansky (1999- ).