COMMUNITY PROFILE: The Ukrainian Americans of Apopka, Fla. (03/12/06)

COMMUNITY PROFILE: The Ukrainian Americans of Apopka, Fla.

by Irene Zabytko
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

APOPKA, Fla. - Despite a few hurricanes, dramatic electrical storms, stymied traffic jams cluttered with tourists en route to theme parks and stray alligators stalking golf courses, the Ukrainian community in Apopka, Fla. considers itself blessed.

"We have beautiful and calm weather most of the time, hospitable people, an area that is growing with a lot of job opportunities, and we're very near the beaches and attractions like Disney," said Father Ivan Kubishyn, pastor of St. Mary Protectress Church in Apopka. "Most importantly, we have our own Ukrainian Catholic Church, the only one in Central Florida. We just need to have more people know about us when they visit or relocate to this area."

Located approximately 15 miles north of Orlando and directly on U.S. Route 441, the Ukrainians first discovered Apopka during the 1970s when Ukrainian real estate developer Stephen Kowalchuk and his business partner Wolodymyr Demianchuk bought several acres of open orange grove land with the intention of establishing a Ukrainian retiree community.

Many senior citizens - mostly from the Northeast and Midwest - relocated to the quiet and traditional southern town better known for its numerous plant and floral nurseries that give credence to its official catch phrase as "the indoor foliage capital of the world."

Within a few years, after a substantial number of Ukrainian retirees built homes and planted their own orange trees on their properties, the area was nicknamed "the Ukrainian Village" by the residents. Soon afterwards Messrs. Kowalchuk and Demianchuk donated a half-acre of land for the community to build a church. The early settlers, who were mostly in their sixties, pitched in and literally constructed and decorated the building that later became St. Mary Protectress. Along with the first pastor, Father Andrey Nazarewycz, the congregation celebrated its first Christmas on January 7, 1979.

In those early years, the building doubled as the center for divial liturgy and as a Ukrainian community hall where concerts, festivals and communal dinners were held. Among the activities were a choir, a bandura ensemble, a children's dance group and poetry recitations. The events were often open to the town residents and emceed by the church's longest serving and bilingual "bratstvo" (brotherhood) president, Ostap Zabytko. The Ukrainians were also very active in the annual Apopka Christmas parades, folk fairs and other town-sponsored events.

Currently in his 54th year in office, Apopka mayor John Land recalls the early Ukrainian community, and in particular Mr. Kowalchuk. "Steve was a true American patriot. He was active in Sertoma (a business organization) and we learned a lot about Ukrainians through Steve. He used to go to our schools and talk about being in a displaced persons camp and about Ukraine under communism. I'm just sorry he died a year before Ukraine became independent."

Before Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Mayor Land was instrumental in issuing a city proclamation for the January 22 Ukrainian independence commemorations, and always participated in raising the Ukrainian flag at City Hall.

In addition, the mayor, the city council and Mr. Kowalchuk helped to establish a special section in the town's cemetery for the Ukrainians. Several of the early residents are buried there, and it's not unusual to see Cyrillic lettering on many of the headstones.

"We want to continue having a relationship with the town because we have a history and presence here," said Taissa Meleshko, who along with her husband, Matvey, relocated to Apopka from Rhode Island in 1982. Mrs. Meleshko is the church treasurer and "unofficial historian." Currently, she serves as the Ukrainian Village representative for the Apopka Historical Society.

"Everyone is interested in our culture and our past, and we need to continue our legacy for future generations." Mrs. Meleshko keeps a vast archive of photographs and related memorabilia including a photograph of a younger Cardinal Lubomyr Husar who visited Apopka in 1982. The cardinal's title then was very reverend archimandrite, and he honored the community by concelebrating the 40th anniversary of Father Nazarewycz's priesthood.

Over the years, the community remained in flux as younger members with children and more retirees relocated to central Florida. Most tended to live in nearby cities such as Orlando, Daytona Beach and Winter Park, and came to Apopka mainly for the liturgical services.

Many Fourth-Wave Ukrainians also have joined the community, as have several non-Ukrainians of Haitian, Latin American and other nationalities.

Among the Fourth Wavers is St. Mary's current pastor, Father Ivan Kubishyn. Originally from Ivano-Frankivsk, Father Kubishyn first came to Apopka in 1992 on a visit to his sister, Anna Kowal. After serving as a substitute priest, he was officially installed as pastor three years ago.

"I loved the community from the beginning," said Father Kubishyn. "I am so grateful to the first settlers who had the vision and faith to build this church."

Father Kubishyn oversaw major renovations, such as the repairs of the church's gold cupola and roof that were badly damaged by the three hurricanes that passed through central Florida in 2004, upgrading the kitchen and adorning the building with more icons, including a replica of a miraculous icon from Ukraine. A memorial plaque and a children's room for play and study are planned.

"We are a born-again church," the pastor said. "I never know who will show up on Sundays, but people always come. Usually, they find us through the Internet and are delighted to worship and socialize with us."

"Most of all, I want this church to be a peaceful, spiritual place for everyone," he said. "I pray to the Blessed Mother that more people will come and find us and feel this peaceful atmosphere together as Christians and Ukrainians."

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St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church is located at 245 Lake McCoy Drive in Apopka. Divine liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 11 a.m. For more information contact the church at 407-880-6357, or the rectory at 407-880-1640.

Irene Zabytko is the author of a novel about Chornobyl, "The Sky Unwashed," and a short story collection, "When Luba Leaves Home."

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