Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church has a history that speaks of resilience, hope, and unwavering faith. It's a story that began with the wave of Ukrainian immigrants who flocked to Philadelphia after World War I, seeking a new life and a place to call home. Their journey laid the foundation for the vibrant community we see today.
In 1925, a pivotal moment unfolded when a building at 23rd and Brown Streets was acquired. This space was intended to serve as a meeting point for the community, but destiny had grander plans in store. Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky appointed Father Mykola Wolanskyj to establish a new parish in the Philadelphia Eparchy, addressing the needs of the burgeoning Ukrainian population.
The first whispers of worship in this new Ukrainian Catholic Church echoed within the rented walls of the community building at 23rd & Brown Streets in 1943. At a modest fee of $5.00 a week, the seeds of faith were sown. Simultaneously, the parish acquired four buildings and a plot of land at 24th & Poplar Streets for $10,000. Those buildings made way for the birth of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, where the very first liturgy was celebrated on a magical Christmas Day, following the Julian calendar, on January 7, 1944.
A significant milestone was reached in August of that year when the parish secured 871 N. 24th St. for $4,000 to serve as the church rectory. As the community continued to grow, the St. Nicholas Parish School emerged to cater to the needs of the Ukrainian youth in the Fairmount neighborhood. Beginning as religious and cultural classes on Saturdays, it soon evolved into a full-fledged elementary school. Initially, the classes were held in a building the parish had acquired on Green Street, but this too made way for progress. Four additional buildings were purchased near the church on 24th Street, clearing space for a modern elementary school that opened its doors in 1961 under the guidance of Father Lebedovych. The school not only imparted a solid academic foundation but also nurtured a vibrant cultural, theatrical, and musical department, engaging students in diverse performances and fostering the formation of two choirs - a mixed choir and a boys' choir.
The adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1967 brought further unity to the community.
Hand in hand with the flourishing school was a vibrant parish community. The church resonated with the soul-stirring chants of a formidable choir, and the school's kitchen became a bustling hub where skilled female parishioners prepared and baked Ukrainian delicacies. The proceeds from these culinary endeavors were first used to reconstruct the original church and later to maintain it.
On December 5, 1976, the present church building was completed, marking a significant milestone in the parish's history. The rectory had been acquired in 1944, the school building and the convent in 1961.
In 1985, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church thrived with 250 parishioners, of whom 210 were born in Ukraine. Five baptisms, two marriages, and thirteen funerals were celebrated that year. Records have been meticulously maintained since 1944, except for the first Communions, which have been recorded since 1950. Notably, one of the priests, Father Nestor Iwasiw, hails from the St. Nicholas parish, a testament to the deep-rooted faith of the congregation.
For many years, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church stood as a cornerstone of the Art Museum/Fairmount neighborhood. However, as time passed, Ukrainians began to move away from the area, leading to a decline in school enrollment. In 1987, the parish school reluctantly had to close its doors. With the school's closure came a decline in the number of parishioners at St. Nicholas Church. What was once a flourishing parish with nearly one hundred families saw a drastic reduction in the number of faithful.
The leadership of the church, women's group, and active parishioners all experienced a decline in numbers. In the 1990s, a difficult decision was made to sell the school building to bolster the church's finances and sustain the church property. Unfortunately, this sale meant the loss of the parish's hall and its sole meeting space. As parishioners continued to move away or pass on, the outlook for the parish seemed bleak, despite valiant efforts from the parish council and the few steadfast parishioners who remained.
But every story has its turning point. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is fortunate to have a congregation filled with generous and hardworking parishioners who are committed to preserving their cultural and spiritual heritage. As they embark on this new chapter under Father Ruslan's leadership, the spirit of hope and revival fills the air. The story of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is far from over; it's a story of resilience, faith, and the enduring power of community. Together, they will continue to keep the faith alive, ensuring that the legacy of St. Nicholas lives on for generations to come.
A fundraising effort to support the Ukrainian Catholic parish in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, which has opened its doors to about 100 refugees, so far, fleeing russian war in Ukraine. The fund has raised over $10,700 thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations from around Philadelphia. The money is used to support the refugees who are currently staying at the Holy Protection of Virgin Mary parish house in Chernivtsi.
