Ascension of Our Lord Parish – Kopernick

Ascension Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Kopernick began with the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Dydyk in the home of John Soloway in 1903. In 1904, parish founders S. Faryna, D. Faryna, and G. Stecyk approved the construction of a small church, which was built of log and clay but sadly burned down the same year. By the fall of 1905, parishioners had already erected a new log-and-lumber church.

As the parish grew, a larger church was needed, and in 1914, under the direction of Father Matthew Hura, a new church was built. This church served the parish for thirty-seven years before being destroyed by fire in 1951. The faithful of Kopernick did not give up. Between 1951 and 1953, they built a fourth church, which still stands today, at a cost of approximately $55,000. The parish’s final Divine Liturgy was celebrated on 23 May 2009 by Bishop David Motiuk, marking the end of parish life.