Key Number:	HS 36398
Site Name:	Russo-Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration (Star-Edna)
Other Names:
Site Type:	1603 - Religious: Church, Cathedral or Chapel

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			56	19	4

Address:	N/A
Number:	N/A
Street:	N/A
Avenue:	N/A
Other:
Town:
Near Town:	Lamont

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:	Ukrainian-Canadian Church Style
Plan Shape:	Cruciform with Apse
Storeys:	Storeys: 1
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Nailed Frame
Superstructure Cover:	Wood: Clapboard (Bevel or Drop Siding)
Roof Structure:	Medium Gable
Roof Cover:	Asbestos Shingle
Exterior Codes:	Exterior Chimney Wings: Other Roof Trim - Eaves: Projecting Eaves Roof Trim - Eaves: Plain Fascia Roof Trim - Verges: Projecting Verges Roof Trim - Verges: Returned Eaves Chimney Stack Material: Stone Window - Special Types: Round Window - Special Types: Semi-Circular Window - Special Types: Other Main Entrance - Location: Centre (Facade) Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 2 Main Stairs - Location and Design: First or Ground Floor, Open Railing
Exterior:	Large dome at crossing on octagonal bse, apse, ached stained glass, gable end returns. South four windows, west three windows, north three windows, east 1 door, 1 window, dome has 4 windows. Exterior masonry chimney, projecting verges and eaves with plain soffit, 2 semi-circular windows on each side of nave, 1 on each side of narthex, apse has 2 that flank round window. DESIGN: The church is designed in the cruciform style and is typical of many of the eastern orthodox rite churches in the area. The present church was constructed from the logs of the original church which were sawn into lumber during its construction in 1913. The structure supports a large dome which is capped with a metal roof. The overall design of the structure would merit a average rating for design. CONSTRUCTION: The building is constructed of light wood frame material salvaged from the sawn cedar shingles to replicate the historic period character of the church. The roof is capped with an octagonal dome finished which a metal (tin) roof. Circular arched coloured glass windows dress the elevations of the church. The church architectural character is compatible with the rural environment and is typical to many religious structures in the region.
Interior:	Choir loft, benches, 3 tiered iconostas, horizontal plank walls with wainscotting, iconostas painted but other religious depictions hung on walls, no evidence of Ukrainianization.
Environment:	3 miles north and 2 miles east of Star. Area: 16.2 ha/40.03 ac Bell tower near by. Clapboard belltower and adjacent cemetery, rural setting, situated on knoll, surrounded by combination of deciduous and coniferous trees, exclusively agricultural infrastructure. The church is a familiar structure within teh region and its architectural qualities reflect the eastern rite design of other churches in the area.
Condition:	Good. 4 APR 1984. Good. 26 OCT 1987.   Good (2004).
Alterations:	1956 - electricity. 1958 - oil furance. 1960 - pews.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Constructed.	1913/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Church	1913/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church of Star

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Ivan Pylypiv one of the parish's founding members. Church in the centre of the controversy during the first decade of the century on whether the parish should remain Catholic or convert to Russo-Orthodox, conerstone case in that the Priviy Council in London decided that the parish should come under the trusteeship of those who wished to make it Russo-Orthodox, while those who wished to remain Catholic should receive a proportionate amount of compensation based on the value of the parish property. RESOURCE                     Russo-Greek Orthodox Church of Transfiguration ADDRESS                         2 miles east of Star BUILT                               1913 STATUS                            Registered Historic Resource HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE As the first Ukrainian Parish in Canada, Transfiguration was one of several that set the tone for Ukrainian religious development throughout the block settlement area.   Originally Ukrainian Catholic, it was organized in 1897 by Reverend Nestor Dmytriv with the help of one of the first two Ukrainian pioneers in Canada, Ivan Pylypow (who is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the church).   In the early 1900s, a part of the congregation decided to convert to Russo-Orthodoxy.   Since this was the first of many such instances, there were no precedents as to who could retain trusteeship of the parish property which, by that time, included a small church in 1898.   The case went to court and was eventually settled by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of London in favour of the breakaway Russo-Orthodox congregation. Those who wished to remain Ukrainian Catholic were awarded a proportionate compensation based on the property’s current value.   Eventually, the Russo-Orthodox faithful tore down the 1898 church and built the structure under consideration here (1913), which is also of considerable architectural significance as one of the earlier cruciform churches in Ukrainian block settlement. *  *  * Transfiguration was the first Ukrainian Parish in Canada. Originally Ukrainian Catholic, it was organized in 1897 by Reverend Nestor Dmytriv.   In the early 1900s, a part of the congregation decided to convert to Russo-Orthodoxy.   As   there were no precedents as to who could retain trusteeship of the parish property (which included a small church built in 1898), the case went to court and was eventually settled by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of London in favour of the breakaway Russo-Orthodox congregation. Those who wished to remain Ukrainian Catholic were awarded a proportionate compensation based on the property’s current value.   Eventually, the Russo-Orthodox faithful tore down the 1898 church and built the structure under consideration here (1913), which is also of considerable architectural significance as one of the earlier cruciform churches in Ukrainian block settlement. * * * DRAFT MEDIA RELEASE The Russo-Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration Named a Registered Historic Resource The Honourable Doug Main, Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism, has announced that the Russo-Orthodox Church of eh Transfiguration, Star, Alberta has been designated a Registered Historic Resource. The Church building was constructed in 1913, and is a fine example of an early Ukrainian-Canadian style cruciform church.  These churches are based upon wooden and masonry church designs from the Ukraine and represent a design evolution from earlier Western Canadian Ukrainian churches.  The interior contains a highly ornate iconostasis and other furnishings of interest. The historical interest of this church and parish is considerable.  It was the first Ukrainian parish organized in Canada, and was founded by Ivan Pylypow, among others.  Pylypow was one of the first two Ukrainian settlers in Canada and he is buried in the church cemetery.  Additionally the church is situated near the original lands taken up as homesteads by Pylypow and others in the first significant Ukrainian "bloc" settlement. The church was also part of one of the most significant and divisive events in the history of Western Canadian Ukrainian settlement.  The original parish led by Reverend Nestor Dymitriv, had been Ukrainian Catholic, but in the early 20th Century much of the congregation could not agree on who owned the existing church, and a long drawn-out court battle ensued.  The dispute eventually reached the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, England, then the highest court available to Canadians, which ruled in favour of the Russo-Orthodox congregation with the stipulation that those who chose to remain Ukrainian Catholic should receive compensation based on a proportional share of parish property. This church represents the rich and fascinating history of Ukrainian pioneer settlement in East-Central Alberta and provides a concrete reflection of some of the most interesting features of the social and cultural development of that community.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:

Register:	N/A

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places: