St. Constantine's Parish in Minneapolis celebrates 90th anniversary (10/19/03)

St. Constantine's Parish in Minneapolis celebrates 90th anniversary

by Dr. Michael J. Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - Though the first immigrants from Ukraine arrived in Minneapolis in 1870s, the Ukrainian community was organized much later, when 90 years ago St. Constantine's Parish was established. The delay was caused by many obstacles. Some of them had its roots in Ukraine as a result of occupation policies of foreign powers, and the others were unforeseen difficulties these people met in this country.

The first immigrants arrived from the least known Ukrainian territory at that time - the region called Subcarpathian Rus', which the Austro-Hungarian government called the District of Ruthenians. These people were poor, underfed, and for the most part poorly educated. They were called "Rusyny" or "Ruthenians." In faith they were Byzantine Rite Catholics, also called "Uniates" or "Greek-Catholics." To meet their spiritual needs they attended the nearest Latin Rite churches. However, they found it difficult to live without their own Church, where they could worship according to their own customs and traditions. For this reason they often met in private homes for prayers.

In the spring of 1887 the Rev. Ivan Volansky, the first priest from Ukraine, visited these people. He was unable to receive permission to conduct services in the Latin Rite churches, therefore, he served the divine liturgy in a private home. In the spring of 1889 he visited Minneapolis again, but this time he blessed the newly built church, which was named after Blessed Virgin Mary.

Unfortunately, the establishment of this Eastern Rite religious Community met serious obstacles. The Latin Rite clergy, including the aArchbishop, instead of giving a helping hand to these people produced many difficulties.

These misunderstandings were skillfully exploited by the Russian Orthodox Mission in this country, which claimed that the only means to retain their religious and national identity was to join Russian Orthodoxy, "the true faith of Rusyn people." They backed this statement by arguing that "Rusyn" and "Russian" are one and the same. On March 25, 1891, the humble congregation of 361 immigrants from Ukraine joined the Russian Orthodox Church. Eventually, as years passed by, their descendants began to claim the Russian cultural heritage as well.

In 1906, another group of people from the Subcarpathian region, but one whose members remained faithful to their Byzantine Rite Catholic faith, erected their own church, which became known as St. John's Ruthenian Byzantine Church. Bishop Soter Ortynsky, a newly appointed hierarch from Ukraine, blessed the church and held a mission for two weeks. The congregation also included about 20 families from another region of Ukraine, Halychyna (Galicia).

Soon these two regional branches of the Ukrainian nation, whose land for many years remained under different foreign occupations, developed some ideological differences that eventually led to estrangement. Those from Halychyna not only retained their Byzantine Rite, but possessed a Ukrainian spirit that extended beyond the borders of regionalism. They strove to lay the groundwork for a Church structure with ties extending to the cradle of Ukrainian nationhood - Kyivan Rus'. Following events as they developed in Ukraine, the group abandoned the outdated identity of "Rusyny" and adopted the name "Ukrainians." Such a renaissance at that time did not take place in Subcarpathia.

In 1912 a group of people from Halychyna met to discuss organizing their own religious congregation which became known as St. Constantine's Ukrainian Catholic Church. At first they rented a hall to serve as temporary place of worship. On January 1, 1913, their first pastor, Father Constantine Kurylo celebrated the divine liturgy for this newly established parish of 72 families.

Within a short time a plot was purchased, and on August 17, 1913, the cornerstone for the church was laid and blessed. Bishop Ortynsky was unable to attend because of illness; in his place, Latin Rite Archbishop John Ireland, who in the past had opposed the formation of the Byzantine Rite congregation, performed the ceremony.

Many obstacles soon confronted the newly established parish. One was the frequent turnover of pastors. The financial obligations imposed upon the parishioners was burdensome. The outbreak of World War I halted the flow of immigrants. Despite these hardships, however, thanks to individual priests and the faithful, the parish continued to survive.

With the arrival of Father Walter Bilynsky the parish entered a new era of rejuvenation. In 1943 a final payment on the mortgage was made.

In 1946 Father Peter Leskiw became pastor. Under his leadership a program of necessary repairs and renovations of the church was initiated. The arrival of new immigrants after World War II gave a new impetus to the congregation, which significantly enhanced spiritual and social life of the parish.

As membership increased the need for a parochial school and an auditorium became obvious. In 1956 the cornerstone was laid and blessed by Bishop Ambrose Senyshyn. Within six years the mortgage loan for the school building was paid up.

In 1964 a new chapter started in the history of the parish. Father Msgr. Stephen Knapp became pastor and immediately noticed the need for a new and larger church. In 1970 a groundbreaking ceremony took place, and it did not take long for the new church to be completed.

The crosses that were placed on the church domes were blessed by Bishop Vasyl Velychkovsky, who just a few months earlier had arrived in the West after spending 13 years in Soviet imprisonment. On October 22, 1972, the church, the rectory and the art gallery were solemnly blessed by Bishop Jaroslav Gabro. When Cardinal Josyf Slipyj visited Minneapolis in May 1973 he was impressed with great achievement of St. Constantine's congregation.

May 18, 1980, entered into the history of this parish as a day that exemplified the success achieved through mutual cooperation and good leadership. The mortgage loan on the new church was paid in full.

In 1985 the parish acquired additional property, as a building was purchased next to the school to serve as residence for the sisters who served the congregation. Today, on the site where once stood a little church built by the first Ukrainian settlers and on the land acquired around it, there is an impressive complex of buildings. A unique addition to this complex, the art gallery is home to a display of a variety of Ukrainian arts and crafts, and many photographs of churches in Ukraine and abroad.

Beside these impressive material achievements St. Constantine's Parish can be proud of its organizations and many individuals who for many years fulfilled their Christian obligation - charity work, such as visiting the sick and disabled, or providing financial support for orphanages, monastic orders or people in need.

At this point one could not omit the contribution of those women whom we affectionately call "pyrozhnytsi." They, along with some men, for many years sacrificed the time and effort to help with the expenses of the parish. Every Thursday and Friday they volunteered their services by making and selling Ukrainian dumplings, or pyrohy/varenyky.

In 1990 the parish initiated the highly commendable task of helping children in Ukraine who need special attention. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Michael Kozak, a special committee was organized to help children injured by the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. A sum of $5,000 was collected and donated to the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund based in Short Hills, N.J.

This did not satisfy all those who volunteered to help, as their desire was to bring the children to Minneapolis and to make their stay during medical treatment enjoyable. Contacts were established with several medical institutions and free medical care was assured.

In October 1992 Msgr. Knapp retired after 60 years in the priesthood and 28 years of pastorship at St. Constantine's parish, and Father Michael Stelmach took his place. At that time it became obvious that the creation of a permanent fund to care for children from Ukraine was necessary. The fund was named The Children of Ukraine Foundation, and Father Stelmach became its president. During the first 10 years of the foundation's existence, 20 children were successfully treated for various medical disabilities.

To enhance the cultural aspect of the parish, the need for a library of Ukrainian learning became obvious. After consulting with Father Stelmach, and with the help of Dmytro Tataryn, this idea also was implemented. Over 2,000 books were collected, and on December 6, 1998, the grand opening and the blessing of the library took place.

As one can see, the small and humble parish established 90 years ago by the first Ukrainian immigrants has grown into a vital and impressive religious community. We hope that those who follow the present generation will exercise concern and interest in preserving these cultural treasures and the traditions of their Ukrainian ancestors.

To mark the anniversary of the establishment of St. Constantine's Parish a commemorative book is being published to record all the activities related to the parish and individual parishioners. The book will be enriched by many pictures from the parish's early days through the present. A special solemn observance of the anniversary on Sunday, October 19, will include a pontifical divine liturgy served by our Bishop Richard Stefan Seminak. The celebration will be concluded with a banquet at the Ukrainian Community Center, with the bishop and invited guests in attendance.

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