Our church has had an interesting past, both in it's initial formation, and it's development as a community within Transcona. We'd like to share with you what it took to get to where we are in the present.
The land for our church was purchased in 1963 by Mr. William Perrick, but since the church was not built at this time, temporary church services were held in Arthur Day School until the building was completed. More available building plans were used for this unique style of Orthodox Church, modifying them to add more exterior decorum such as the arch on the front door and arches within the nave of the church.
The official sod turning ceremony & dedication to mark construction was held on April 5th, 1964. The cost of constructing the church was $87,000 and was completed on October 5th, 1964. The official consecration was done by Bishop Boris Yakowkewych. On August 22nd, 1965, the All Saints Church Auditorium was officially opened.
During the 1970's, there was a steady growth within the parish. During this growth, Sunday school and Ukrainian school began, Ukrainian Dance classes took place, we had CYMK activities, a Drama Club, and even an Altar Boys Club.
During the 1990's, there was a profound fusion of the past with the present taking place, specifically recognising & acknowledging the contributions made by past clergy, executive, and parishioners. This took place and was celebrated during the 40th anniversary of the Parish.
The years of 2000-2019 were marked with a season of steadfastness & self-determination. Our plans involved the maintaining and upgrading the programming hosted at the parish as well as its property. A Church Domes Committee was established and co-chaired by Ben Shuvera and Lawrence Chubey. Plans were made for this project and an appeal was sent out to the parishioners. These domes were constructed and installed on the roof to celebrate the new millennium, being blessed on October 1st, 2000. This had a large turnout and was met with an archpastoral visitation and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Temple. The morning ended with Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak) blessing the 3 new domes, assisted by attending clergy. A short programme followed the celebratory dinner that was enjoyed in the auditorium.
The emergence of COVID-19 towards the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020 resulted in the temporary suspension of parish life & liturgies until isolation regulations were lifted. Parish activities resumed in 2021 with a return to liturgical life & fellowship, continuing to evolve to this day. With it, an emergence of digital participation was utilised to allow for parishioners who were suffering from ailments to still view the services being conducted.
In 2023, All Saints was graced with a visitation from His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan Illarion (RUDNYK), Archbishop of Winnipeg and the Central Eparchy. This was the first official visit done in a while and was met with resounding positivity and welcoming attitudes.
All Saints regularly holds it's liturgies in English or in Bilingual Ukrainian/English.
In the tradition of previous major anniversaries, we have compiled the last memory book to be made and digitized for your viewing pleasure. Attached are the 40th and 50th Anniversary memory books in both image format and available for in PDF format.