Ukrainian retirement community to be built in Pennsylvania (08/06/06)

Ukrainian retirement community to be built in Pennsylvania

READING, Pa. - Trypillian Village, a new retirement community designed expressly for persons of Ukrainian heritage, will be constructed near Reading, Pa., located in Berks County, about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

The new community, intended for active seniors who are 55-plus years of age, will feature 130 units comprising condo apartments on more than 100 wooded acres owned by the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church of Reading since 1953.

Groundbreaking is slated for September 10, "This will be the first community of its kind in the United States," according to Father Uriy Markewych pastor.

The focal point of the spacious property will be a new church built in the style of traditional Ukrainian architecture with classic domes. The structure will incorporate a historical mosaic, stained glass windows and the bells from the old church currently located in downtown Reading.

A key attraction at Trypillian Village will be the Heritage Center designed to preserve, celebrate and explore the Ukrainian legacy. It will showcase arts and crafts, traditional clothing, literature, artifacts and music, and will include a performance and meeting area.

"This will be a dream fulfilled for the parish and for me," said Father Markewych. "We're going to create something special on this beautiful piece of land that our church had the foresight to acquire more than 50 years ago.

"We are building a community where Ukrainian people will feel at home, where they will have an opportunity to live together and share their heritage," he commented. "Our brand new church and our Heritage Center will be a wonderful place to celebrate our faith and our culture for the community residents and for Ukrainian people across the country."

In order to reflect the emphasis on Ukrainian heritage and culture, the name of the community is derived from the Trypillian Civilization, which is viewed as the spiritual birthplace of today's Ukraine. More than 2,000 Trypillian village sites have been excavated throughout the country.

The Trypillian culture and heritage are graphically reflected in a logo for the new community that incorporates the swirling designs and natural shapes frequently found on the handmade pottery excavated from the villages.

According to Father Markewych, the church's Planning Committee took many factors into consideration before deciding to build Trypillian Village as a retirement community that would have appeal for Ukrainians.

"We learned that Pennsylvania is one of the most retirement-friendly states in the country," he said. "In fact, Pennsylvania is the second most populous state in the nation in its percentage of seniors aged 65 and older."

"We think that's because Pennsylvania is one of the most generous states in the country when it comes to the tax treatment of retirement income. Social Security and veterans' benefits, public and private pensions, Supplemental Security Income, and IRA distributions are all exempt from state income tax. Plus, Pennsylvania has a low sales tax and does not tax necessities such as food and clothing," he added.

According to planning research, Pennsylvania has also earned a reputation as a national leader at providing beneficial programs to residents over age 60, including tax exemptions and rebates, prescription drug benefits, and discounted fees from state-run agencies.

Current parishioners think that the Reading area will be an ideal place to live and retire.

"Reading is located in Berks County, a great geographical setting with rolling hills and abundant farmland, scenic old towns and boroughs, and is in easy driving distance of key cities in the Northeast Corridor from New York to Philadelphia to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.," Father Markewych said.

"We're also fortunate here because the cost of living remains low and there are many affordable leisure-time outlets - shopping, an expansive parks system, minor league baseball and ice hockey, and semi-professional soccer and football teams, an exquisite museum, historic neighborhoods, and a civic arena with headline performers," he added.

For those unfamiliar with the area, the Planning Committee also compiled a list of "Fun Facts" about life in Reading.

The city is famous for the Reading Railroad, which is well-known as a space in the Monopoly board game.
Reading is located at the foot of 886-foot tall Mount Penn, which dominates the skyline.
At the top of Mount Penn, along its scenic drive and overlooking the city is a distinctive 72-foot-tall Japanese pagoda, known locally as "The Pagoda" or as the "Reading Pagoda." Built in 1908, the brick and tile structure houses a museum and gift shop and offers visitors a spectacular panoramic view.
The city is famous for its development of outlet shopping, earning the designation, "The Original Outlet Capital of the World," and is a popular destination not only for tourists, but also for local residents.
The Fifth Avenue candy bar was named for a street in Reading. A replica of the candy bar's distinctive logo and packaging is used as the street sign in the city.

For further information, readers may log onto our website at www.trypillianvillage.com or call 610-376-0586.

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