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Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Szpenitz District)
Hairy Hill, Near
Other Names:
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Szypenitz Church
Szypenitz Ukrainian Church, Two Hills
Szypenitz Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church and Graveyard Bell Tower
Szypenitz Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary
Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary, Szypenitz
U. G. O. of St. Mary - Szypenitz
U.G.O. of St. Mary - Szypenitz
UGO of St. Mary - Szypenitz
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Szypenitz District) is located on a parcel of land bisected by Highway 29, near Hairy Hill in the County of Two Hills No. 21. The church is a brick church building built in 1917 in the style of the Eastern Rite Churches of western Ukraine. It features a large central dome over the nave of the church and a small cupola over the entrance and a separate detached wooden bell tower. South of the church on the other side of the highway are lands including the locations of the initial parish churches and church cemetery.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary lies chiefly as a unique example of brick construction atypical of rural Canadian Eastern rite church architecture. The site is additionally significant for its association with Eastern Christian worship and Ukrainian settlement in Alberta.
Built in 1917 as the parish's third church after outgrowing its first church, and losing its second to fire, the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary stands as a rare example of a rural Eastern-Rite church employing brick construction. Most rural churches built for these communities were of a much simpler wood-frame construction. Built for endurance, St. Mary's was constructed under the auspices and plans of Harry Osiecki, a well known church-builder based out of Vegreville.
The historical significance of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary lies in its representation of the regional Bukovinian culture that prevailed in the northern reaches of what has been termed the Ukrainian Block of east central Alberta. Peter Lipinski painted the interior decoration, including the iconostasis, in the popular Ukrainian iconographic style. The church’s style and upkeep, in an area with many other Eastern Rite churches, prominently illustrates the faith and religious dedication of the Ukrainian immigrants who settled north of the North Saskatchewan River after the turn of the twentieth century.
The associated church bell tower and cemetery both reinforce the traditional sacral architectural, material culture and faith practices that the Ukrainian homesteaders transplanted to their community in Alberta. The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary is a significant contributor to the cultural landscape of the region.
Source: Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 1588)
Character-Defining Elements
The character defining elements of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Szypenitz District) include such features as:
- brick construction atypical for rural Ukrainian churches;
- masonry features such as common bond brickwork pattern, quoin quarters, circular and arched window opening pattern;
- triple zrub (tripartite) construction typical of Bukovinian style churches;
- main open cupola constructed of a wooden frame;
- interior details such as the iconostasis, altar and sacristy in the east apse;
- interior church decoration by well-known Ukrainian-Albertan iconographer Peter Lipinski;
- detached wooden bell tower;
- numerous folk constructed grave markers crafted of formed concrete and wrought iron dating as far back as 1904; the associated parish cemetery; and
- undetermined, but potential presence of archaeological artifacts and features associated with two earlier iterations of the church as well as the church manse.
Location
| Street Address: |
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| Community: |
Hairy Hill, Near |
| Boundaries: |
Portion of Legal Subdivisions 13 and 14 in 22-55-13-W4 and a Portion of SW 27-55-13-W4 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
Structure: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
4
4
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13
13
13
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55
55
55
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22
22
27
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13 (ptn.)
14 (ptn.)
3 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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53.771478 |
-111.854674 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1987/12/02 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1917 to 1917 |
| Period of Significance: |
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| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Religious Institutions
Peopling the Land : Settlement
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| Historic Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Current Function(s): |
Religion, Ritual and Funeral : Religious Facility or Place of Worship
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
Harry Osiecki
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary, Szypenitz is part of a rural community located between present-day Willingdon and Two Hills, an area settled by people from eastern Europe at the turn of the century. These immigrants came from the Chernivitsi area of Bukovyna, including the villages of Luzhany, Kitsman, Lashkivka and Shypyntsi.
The first social institution created by the people from Shypyntsi was a Russo-Orthodox Church, which later adopted Ukrainian Greek Orthodoxy about 1941. The congregation erected a one-room log building in 1907 and partitioned the room to represent the iconostas. In approximately 1915 this building was replaced with a larger and more ornate structure built with materials purchased from the Charles Gordon Lumber Yard in Vegreville and designed by Harry Osiecki. The actual construction of the church was undertaken by members of the congregation.
The church and its contents were totally destroyed by fire, apparently in 1916. In 1917 the congregation constructed the church and bell tower which now occupy the site. It was also designed by Osiecki who may have used the plans originally prepared for the first since both the buildings are known to have been similar. After completion of the church, the noted artist and painter Peter Lipinski was hired to paint the icons.
While the other buildings associated with this rural community have either been abandoned like the hall or dismantled like the school, the Szypenitz church continues to be used actively. Its historical significance arises from its link with the early migration of people from Shypyntsi, Ukraine; its distinction as one of the first buildings constructed by Osiecki, whose work is being studied and preserved at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. The adjacent cemetery is equally important, and is one of the best preserved older cemeteries in east central Alberta.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0526 |
| Designation File: |
DES 1588 |
| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 24626
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| Website Link: |
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| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1588) |
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