BYELORUSSIAN

MOTHER OF GOD OF ZYROVICY - BYELORUSSIAN CHURCH

3518 Scranton Rd. (W. 25th)

This church was Cleveland's first Belarusan parish and was formed in 1951. They initially met at the corner of W. 14th and Starkweather Avenue. The first pastor was Rev. E. Yakimenko. In 1957, they bought a house and lot near the "Y" formed by Pearl Rd. and Scranton Rd. They built a church and it was consecrated in 1960. As Belarusians moved to the suburbs, especially Strongsville, in 1974 this group bought property on Webster Road to use for social events. They built a community center at 11022 Webster Road in 1990, where there is a hall, research library, archive and ethnic museum. In approximately 1980 the Belarusians had a section set aside at Riverside Cemetery for their burials. In 1999, the church was relocated to the Strongsville property at 11064 Webster Road. The old church at Pearl and Scranton Roads is now occupied by the St. Nicholas Belarusian Orthodox Church, which is made up of former members of Mother of God of Zyrovicy.