Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish – Waskatenau

Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish in Waskatenau is a Ukrainian Catholic parish that grew through the dedication of local families between Radway and Smoky Lake. The parish cemetery, located at SE 29-59-19-4, was established on four acres of donated land in 1941, and the church site was later purchased in 1950 for $350. Construction of the church began in 1950–1951 under contractor Walter Gulka of St. Paul, Alberta, and the cornerstone was blessed on June 17, 1951.

The church building was completed with a finished basement, which had been worked on in 1964, and the total cost reached $35,000. On June 14, 1970, Bishop Neil Savaryn blessed the church in the presence of Fr. Peter Moysiuk, Fr. Eugene Dmytruk, Fr. Peter Iwanec, Fr. Peter Petryshyn, and parish priest Fr. Theophile Hurko. In 1974, the parish also formed its own branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, strengthening parish life and community involvement. The parish was supported by cantors including Dmytro Mulyk, Theodor Koziak, Michael Diachyshyn, and Joseph Mychalchuk.