Ascension of Our Lord Parish – Manning

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ascension of Our Lord in Manning, Alberta, reflects important settlement changes in the district, especially the movement from rural church communities toward a more central town location. Its story is rooted in the earlier Ukrainian Catholic parishes at Hotchkiss to the north and North Star to the south, both of which helped shape the spiritual life of the region for decades.

In 1951, four acres of land were purchased from Paul Bilazor for a future rectory and chapel. That property later became vacant and burned in 1957, and a road built in 1967 divided the site. In 1974, the Hotchkiss and North Star parishes agreed to unite and build one church in Manning. Planning moved forward with the support of a dedicated building committee, and after a short delay, construction began in 1977 with extensive volunteer labour from both parishioners and friends of the community.

The completed Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ascension of Our Lord was blessed by Bishop Demetrius Greschuk on 28 August 1977. The church, measuring 30 feet by 60 feet, includes a finished basement with a hall and kitchen, serving both worship and community gatherings. Its furnishings also carry the memory of the older parishes: the iconostasis, darker pews, and perhaps some banners came from All Saints at Hotchkiss, while the altar came from St Mary at North Star.

The parish has been served by a long line of eparchial clergy over the years, and its life has continued through regular Sunday worship and the faithful service of priests who travelled from nearby communities. In the years following its founding, the parish remained a small but active community, sustained by prayer, history, and the dedication of its members.