Jersey parish has ambitious vision for new church and community center (09/08/02)

Jersey parish has ambitious vision for new church and community center

by Victor M. Hatala

WHIPPANY, N.J. - The migration of Ukrainian Americans, particularly families with children to the suburbs and exurbs of western New Jersey has presented a rare and wonderful opportunity for the Ukrainian Catholic parish here to build a new church, and to establish a significant Ukrainian cultural and community center that will be easily accessible to residents of New Jersey, southern New York, eastern Pennsylvania and even southwestern Connecticut. "This is the vision of our parishioners," reported the Rev. Roman Mirchuk, who in May was named pastor at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, N.J., a Morris County community just north of Morristown and approximately 45 minutes west of Manhattan.

Parish experiences dramatic growth

St. John's Parish, located on Route 10 at the corner of Jefferson Road, has been an integral part of the Whippany community, contributing to the spiritual and social needs of Ukrainian Americans and the general community for more than 80 years. More recently the parish doubled in membership under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. Uriy Markewych, who was pastor at St. John's from 1995 until this past May.

Today 476 persons worship at St. John's. Additional growth has been constrained, however, as the present church building is too small to accommodate all who wish to participate in the divine liturgy on Sundays.

The potential for further growth is evidenced by the fact that more than 600 persons from the area who are not parishioners at St. John's belong to Ukrainian community organizations based in Morris County, such as the Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Studies, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) and a traditional folk dance school.

These vibrant community organizations themselves are currently renting and relying on less-than-adequate facilities for their programs and look forward to supporting a cultural/community center offering classrooms and recreational facilities. That is the shared opinion of Dr. George Demidowich, a member of Plast, Michael Koziupa, a member of SUM, and Ihor Zwarych, an activist at the Lesia Ukrainka School. All three gentlemen also serve on the parish's Building Committee.

Orest Kucyna, parish trustee and chairman of the Building Committee, said he believes that "Our future lies in attracting young families and our youth by providing adequate facilities for worship, religion classes, a Ukrainian heritage school, cultural groups, scouting organizations and sports clubs. We must also reach out to provide support for senior citizens by establishing Ukrainian-sponsored social services."

Land is purchased

St. John's Parish already has taken a number of critical steps toward making its vision a reality. A desirable parcel of 7.5 acres of land (one of 23 options that was considered) was purchased in April of this year. Peter Binazeski, a member of the Building Committee and chairman of its finance subcommittee, explained that "the land purchase was funded for the most part from the parish's cash reserves that had been built-up by generous parishioner contributions and through some opportune real estate transactions." The land purchase, less than half a mile north of the current church, provides an attractive location approximately a mile from two major exits off Interstate 287, a major metropolitan area artery.

The parish has retained a Ukrainian American architect, Taras Dobusz, who has experience in designing and building Ukrainian churches. Mr. Dobusz has already begun prepared renderings of a church, a rectory, a bell tower and a Ukrainian cultural-community center with classrooms, a gymnasium, an auditorium, community rooms and a commercial kitchen. The adjacent bell tower would be built using stained glass windows, a bell and dome from the current church building.

Additionally, the Building Committee has retained the services of a land-use attorney and a site engineer, both of whom have extensive experience with area civic and governmental authorities and agencies, which "will expedite the project review and approval process," according to Jerry Kuzemczak, a Building Committee member and an attorney in private practice in Morris County.

Morris County now a hub

"Morris County is an ideal area for implementing a vision for a church and Ukrainian cultural-community center for children, young families and senior citizens," stated Michael Halibej, president of a local real estate development firm, a member of the parish's Building Committee and the former parish trustee who led much of the land acquisition process during the past few years. "While the broader multi-state geographic area continues to be home to the largest concentration of Americans of Ukrainian descent in the United States, Morris County itself has experienced a substantial influx of families of Ukrainian descent in recent years," he added.

During the decade ending in the year 2000, Morris County's Ukrainian American population increased 76 percent, far surpassing the county's very strong overall growth of 12 percent. Many of these families have moved from the more traditional Ukrainian centers in and near major urban areas primarily to experience the suburban lifestyle of Morris County, while remaining within commuting distance of professional career opportunities in New York City and throughout northern New Jersey. "The strong professional job market in the region also has attracted transfers from as far away as Canada and other parts of the United States," said Stefan Belej, a Building Committee member and himself a recent transferee from Canada.

Archbishop offers support

In early 2002, then-Pastor Markewych, accompanied by Building Committee members, Mr. Halibej and this writer, traveled to Philadelphia for what was to be a pivotal meeting. There they presented detailed market and financial analyses on which the parish's plans are based and sought the support of the Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S. and archbishop of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, which includes Ukrainian Catholic churches in New Jersey.

At this meeting Archbishop Soroka expressed his wish that the parish build a new, larger church for worship, as well as a community-cultural center that would provide religious, cultural, educational and social community services in a spiritual and soul-enriching setting. He said he believes that such an approach is the way to include young families, families that are more established and senior citizens.

The metropolitan directed the parish to proceed with purchasing the new land parcel and provided support until its successful acquisition.

According to the Rev. Mirchuk "continued support of the parish's vision by our metropolitan is crucial to the project's success."

Social events to elicit support

The parish has released a schedule of major social events for the upcoming year designed to secure support for St. John's project. Mr. Zwarycz, chairman of the fund-raising subcommittee, invited "everyone in northern New Jersey, southern New York and eastern Pennsylvania to join in these events, which will be fun, informative and productive toward realizing the vision that has been created."

Some of the events on tap for the next 12 months are: the annual fall picnic - September 8; a formal dinner-dance with the special project's presentation, featuring music by the popular Luna band on Saturday, November 16, at the Ramada Hotel located in nearby East Hanover, N.J.; a golf classic annual - spring/summer 2003; an "In the Community" annual event to increase visibility of the project in the local area - spring 2003; and art and charity auctions - winter 2003.

The parish also will be pursuing numerous other fund development activities, including such initiatives as: planned trust and estate bequests, corporate and foundation solicitations, a parish cookbook of favorite recipes and individual giving from the community at large.

Communication seen as fundamental

The parish desires to describe the details of its vision to the general Ukrainian American community and to residents throughout Morris County and the surrounding area. The Building Committee has authorized the ongoing communication of major developments, so various instruments, such as a newsletter, brochure and website, are being developed for that purpose.

Said Mr. Kucyna: "The Building Committee and the public relations and communications subcommittee seek and welcome suggestions from all who are interested and would like to support the parish's vision." Readers who would like to help as a volunteer, or with donations, or who simply want more information about this project, may e-mail the parish at [email protected] or call (973) 887-3616.

"This is an exciting time for our parish," said the Rev. Mirchuk. "What we are planning and doing today will affect not only us, but also future generations of Ukrainian Americans in our town, county and state. We can make our vision a reality, but it will take commitment from each and every one of us. We look forward to input and support from everyone in the Ukrainian America community of New Jersey."

St. John's Parish Building Committee members are: the Rev. Roman Mirchuk, Stefan Belej, Peter Binazeski, Peter Brocky, George Demidowich, Andrew Hadzewycz, Michael Halibey, Victor M. Hatala, Michael Koziupa, Orest Kucyna, (chairman), George Kryzaniwsky, Jerry Kuzemczak, Ihor Lodziuk and Ihor Zwarycz; Bohdan Halibey and Bohdan Turynsky are alternates.

Victor Hatala is chairman of the public relations and communications subcommittee of the Building Committee at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Whippany, N.J.

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