Maryland parish to dedicate wooden Hutsul-style church (10/15/00)

Maryland parish to dedicate wooden Hutsul-style church

by Natalka Gawdiak

SILVER SPRING. Md. - Among the wooden churches built by Ukrainian parishes in the United States, Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Md., has been a long time coming.

This unique structure in Maryland will now join such churches in other towns and cities of the United States, including those in Hunter, N.Y. (1962), Glen Spey, N.Y. (1966), Barnesboro, Pa. (1968), Kerhonkson, N.Y. (1976), Johnson City, Pa. (1977), and Jenkintown, Pa. (1992).

Several architects contributed to the design and building of Holy Trinity Church at various stages. The principal design of the church was carried out by Canadian Architect Ihor Stecura. Contributing at later stages were Daniel Hart, the late Ireneus Harasymiak (who passed away on August 12), and Larissa Kurylas. A major part in constructing this church was played by master builder Yuri Kostiw, whose experience and talents also figured in the building of some of the aforementioned churches.

The plan to build a Hutsul-style, all wooden church here began around the time of celebrations of the Millennium of Christianity in Rus'-Ukraine. It is culminating during the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The blessing of Holy Trinity Church, which is open to all, will be celebrated by Metropolitan Stephan Sulyk on Sunday, October 29, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in College Park. Those interested in attending may call Larissa Fontana at (301) 365-2490 by October 12 to reserve a place; those who may not be able to attend but wish to contribute and/or send greetings may mail their donations to Holy Trinity Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church, 16631 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20905.

Holy Trinity has not yet been totally completed; certain finishing elements are still needed, such as icons, a chandelier and roof crosses. Nevertheless, the church, which is located two miles north of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, is often visited by curious passers-by because of its beauty and architecturally unique appearance.

Behind the church, visitors see another Hutsul-style wooden structure - the priest's residence, where the Rev. Taras Lonchyna and his wife, Jaroslava, reside with their three children, Orysia, Motria and Bohdan. Along with their mother, the three siblings teach Sunday school.

The membership of Holy Trinity is small - some 100 families have dedicated themselves to seeing this project through. Many of the area's young Ukrainian professionals are parishioners. During the Ukrainian-language divine liturgy on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., the voices of their babies and toddlers rise up to the main cupola with the beautiful singing of the church cantors, Petro Krul, aided by his wife Sonja and family, and Myroslav Hnatyshyn. The number of children in the parish - including no fewer than six sets of twins - have been a real blessing and joy for the church. Parishioners know there still is much work to be done to raise these children for the Lord and that responsibility is being taken very seriously by the parents, pastor and catechetical teachers who see in this next generation a bright future.

| Home Page |