Philadelphia Selfreliance opens credit union branch in Trenton (08/05/01)

Philadelphia Selfreliance opens credit union branch in Trenton

by Roman Stelmach

TRENTON, N.J. - To celebrate the opening of its new branch in Trenton, N.J., the Philadelphia-based Ukrainian Selfreliance FCU conducted grand opening ceremonies during Memorial Day weekend.

In cooperation with the Ukrainian National Home, USFCU also co-sponsored a picnic for all attendees. In spite of the holiday weekend and the forecast of inclement weather, over 300 Trentonians joined in the celebration. Zenon Kmet and his band provided musical entertainment. Children were entertained with face painting and a "moon walk." Door prizes were awarded to both children and adults.

Blessing the new branch were the pastors of four local Ukrainian churches: The Rev. Vasyl Patera, St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church; The Rev. Ivan Fatenko, St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church; The Rev. Sviatoslav Kowaliw, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church; and Pastor Avdij Chripchuk, Baptist Church.

The Rev. Patera commented that the community is fortunate to have its own large credit union in the Ukrainian National Home, where Ukrainians can conduct their financial transactions in their own language and where Ukrainians can "help each other by becoming active members."

Following the blessing, Petro Tereschuk, president of the Ukrainian National Home, welcomed the USFCU to its new branch, stating that there are many newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants, as well as Ukrainian Americans, that need the services of a credit union. He noted that it has been almost 20 years since the previous Ukrainian credit union closed its doors.

Ihor Chyzowych, chief executive officer of USFCU, told the crowd that Philadelphia Selfreliance is a 50-year-old Ukrainian financial institution with assets well over $105 million and is eager to provide financial services to Trenton area Ukrainian Americans. He also invited all guests to come to Tryzubivka in the fall for the credit union's fourth annual "thank you" picnic.

Bohdan Mizak, chairman of the board of USFCU, joined fellow board member Olga Jakubowska and Mr. Tereschuk to cut the blue-and-yellow ribbon adorning the entrance to the 213-year-old mansion housing the new branch.

Known as Bow Hill Mansion, the building dates back to 1787, when it was built by a manufacturer of Colonial army uniforms. The mansion's history is linked with the Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. It is also the focal point of one of the great romances in American history involving a king of Spain.

Ukrainians bought Bow Hill Mansion in 1967. In addition to the credit union's new branch, it also houses chapters of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and the Ukrainian American Veterans, and an office of the American Continental Savings Corp.

Ukrainian Selfreliance FCU has over 6,000 members and is a member in good standing of the Ukrainian National Credit Union Association and the Pennsylvania Credit Union League.

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