FACES AND PLACES: Seattle's Ukrainian settlers (10/12/03)

FACES AND PLACES

by Myron B. Kuropas

Seattle's Ukrainian settlers

This past summer Lesia and I took a cruise through Alaska's inner passage, a trip we highly recommend.

Before and after the cruise, we had an opportunity to spend some time in Seattle, where we attended Ukrainian Catholic liturgy at St. James Roman Catholic Cathedral, celebrated there every second and third Sunday of the month by Father Joseph Ostopovich.

Father Joseph is a member of the Ukrainian eparchy of Vancouver, British Columbia. Born to Canadian-born Ukrainian parents in Alberta, Father Joseph also serves as a prison minister in British Columbia.

Approximately 70 people attended the Seattle liturgy, about half of whom were members of the Fourth Wave, many with young, well-behaved children. I spoke with Father Joseph after the service and he was very upbeat about the future of his mission parish. "If we had our own church, we would have many more people here. We are definitely growing," he told me enthusiastically.

When asked about the participation of the Fourth Wavers, Father Joseph was very optimistic. "Most of them come regularly. In the beginning they seemed reticent to sign up for membership, and to donate money to the parish," he explained. "If they gave anything to the Sunday collection, it was rarely more than a dollar. Now that their lives are more settled, however, some have become members, their donations have increased, and they tend to socialize after the service."

I asked about the recently arrived Ukrainian Protestants, who comprise a far larger community in Seattle, and who now have a person on the UNA national advisory board, the General Assembly.1

"Typically, they keep to themselves, even though they know we're here," Father Joseph said. "They want nothing to do with us. Not only that, they tell Ukrainian Catholic newcomers that their church is the only Ukrainian church in town."

Thanks to Alex and Chrys Krynytzky, longtime residents of Seattle, Lesia and I learned a little more about the Seattle Ukrainian community.

Although there were a few Ukrainians living in Seattle prior to the second world war, the parish - actually a Ukrainian Catholic Mission parish was not established until after the war. It was served for a time by Father Roman S. Chehovsky of Victoria, B.C. Through the efforts of Mrs. E. Basarab of Portland, Ore., one of six communities served then by Father Roman, a founding group met at St. James Cathedral hall on November 15, 1959. Attending were Ukrainians from as far away as Mount Vernon and Puyallup. Elected to head the steering committee were John Hlibchuk, chairman; Wasyl Solyma, vice-chairman; Lev Bemko and Gordon Zord, co-secretaries; Wasyl Krip, treasurer; and Ivanna Burak, public relations. Mr. Krip is still active, serving today as the parish diak (cantor).

At the suggestion of Father Chehovsky, the membership agreed to name the parish after the Blessed Virgin Mary of Zarvanytsia, a famous miraculous icon in the village of the same name In the Podilla region of Ukraine. The parish became part of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago and was visited by then Bishop Jaroslav Gabro in June of 1963.

In time, other church organizations were created, including the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Sisterhood of St. Olha.

Father Chehovsky served the mission parish until 1969. Father James Bartman was there during the 1970s and was succeeded by Father Stephen Kuzma of Richmond, B.C., in 1982. For the record, Father Stephen's son, Mykhailo, is pastor of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Palatine, Ill.

According to Dr. Oleh Wolowyna, a professional demographer who is presently reviewing the 2000 U.S. Census figures, there are some 19,000 people who identify themselves as Ukrainians in the Seattle area.

Today, the Seattle Ukrainian community seems to be doing very nicely. Recently, Chrys Krynytzky opened Korovai, the first Ukrainian bakery in the Seattle area. You can reach Chrys at (253) 931-0188 or kubakery@earthlink.net.

The next time you're in Seattle, check out the church and the bakery. You won't be disappointed.

Myron Kuropas' e-mail address is: mbkuropas@compuserve.com.

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