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Dormition Of The Mother Of God
Ukrainian Catholics who immigrated to Phoenix brought with them a great zeal of Christian ardor. They were Byzantine Catholics who were dedicated and devoted to their church of Eastern traditions, hierarchy, distinct music and customs. Because of a deep concern for their church and the continuance of their cultural heritage, the Ukrainian Catholics banded together with an intense desire and determination to establish a place of worship.
A mission was established on March 31, 1957 with liturgical services held at the Sister's Chapel at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix. A Mission Committee was formed, and in January 1958, approval to establish the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary was given by Archbishop Constantine Bohachewsky of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The celebrant of the first Divine Liturgy at the Mission Church was Reverend Michael Koltutsky of Hollywood, California, who divided his time between his parish in Hollywood and that of the Mission Church. Between the years 1957 and 1961, six priests were assigned at various times to the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1961, Reverend Michael Horoshko became the first resident pastor. By the end of the year when 100 families worshipped at the Mission Church, a prefabricated structure as well as a pastoral residence were purchased at 4318 and 4319 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix. The Mission was now elevated to a Parish, and was named, the Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Jaroslav Gabro, DD, Bishop of the St. Nicholas Diocese (Chicago) for Ukrainian Catholics in the Midwest and west, dedicated and blessed the new parish on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1962. Many notable members of the clergy were present, including His Excellency, the Most Reverend Francis J. Green, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. Assisting His Excellency, Bishop Gabro, were the Right Reverend Monsignor Walter Paska, Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Nicholas and the Reverend Michael Koltutsky, pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hollywood, California.
Reverend Horoshko, in me true spirit of ecumenism, introduced the customs and the beauty of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to the citizens of Arizona, who were unaware of the different religious celebrations of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. He held liturgical celebrations at the Newman Centers of Arizona's higher institutions of learning, Arizona State University in Tempo and the University of Arizona in Tucson. He had given lectures on Ukrainian Eastern Catholicism in many high schools and religious gatherings throughout Arizona.
Reverend Krotec established several parish committees to tend to the needs of a growing parish. A Building Committee was appointed to obtain funds in order to purchase a new location for the church. A four-and-one-half acre lot was purchased with the intent of relocating the parish. Eventually it was decided that the location of that acreage was not a feasible one. A new search was begun because the parish enrollment kept growing.
On January 2, 1990, the opportunity arose to purchase a large beautiful church and parcels of land at the northwest comer of 37th and Maryland Avenues in Phoenix. In order to avoid having a mortgage on this property, parish member and friends were most generous in donating funds towards defraying the cost of the mortgage. The parish members, who were repaid within a few years after the purchase, also made interest-free loans. On October 7, 1990, His Excellency, Most Reverend Innocent Lotocky, OSBM, and Bishop of the St. Nicholas Eparchy consecrated the new home of me Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church. In 1988, after Reverend Krotec was moved to another parish, Reverend Joseph Chupil was named the pastor, a position he held until his death in November 1994, and Temporary pastoral assignments were made until 1996 when Reverend Hugo Soutus was named Administrator of the parish. A parish residence was originally purchased across from the church in 1990. When a larger residence adjoining the parish parcel of land was available, that residence was sold and the larger residence was purchased. Fencing surrounding the entire parish property was installed as well as the addition of beautiful landscaping.
Reverend Soutus has been instrumental in publishing a Parish Bulletin each Sunday outlining the events of the week as well as establishing an adult Bible Study/Christian Formation group that meets each Sunday following the first Divine Liturgy. Religious Education classes for the younger members of the parish are held each Sunday morning at the same time that their parents are attending the Bible Study/Christian Formation group. There have been many social activities offered to the parish members as well as a "get-to-know and talk" to your fellow parish members by having a Coffee & Sweets gathering after each Sunday's Divine Liturgy. Parish members who have volunteered then-services host Coffee & Sweets. This has been established as a stepping-stone to becoming reacquainted with each other, as well as welcoming new members to the parish.
Dormition of the Mother of God Church is a family with open arms ready and pleased to have you share in the celebration of our beautiful Divine Liturgies.
A mission was established on March 31, 1957 with liturgical services held at the Sister's Chapel at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix. A Mission Committee was formed, and in January 1958, approval to establish the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary was given by Archbishop Constantine Bohachewsky of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The celebrant of the first Divine Liturgy at the Mission Church was Reverend Michael Koltutsky of Hollywood, California, who divided his time between his parish in Hollywood and that of the Mission Church. Between the years 1957 and 1961, six priests were assigned at various times to the Mission of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1961, Reverend Michael Horoshko became the first resident pastor. By the end of the year when 100 families worshipped at the Mission Church, a prefabricated structure as well as a pastoral residence were purchased at 4318 and 4319 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix. The Mission was now elevated to a Parish, and was named, the Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Jaroslav Gabro, DD, Bishop of the St. Nicholas Diocese (Chicago) for Ukrainian Catholics in the Midwest and west, dedicated and blessed the new parish on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1962. Many notable members of the clergy were present, including His Excellency, the Most Reverend Francis J. Green, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. Assisting His Excellency, Bishop Gabro, were the Right Reverend Monsignor Walter Paska, Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Nicholas and the Reverend Michael Koltutsky, pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hollywood, California.
Reverend Horoshko, in me true spirit of ecumenism, introduced the customs and the beauty of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to the citizens of Arizona, who were unaware of the different religious celebrations of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. He held liturgical celebrations at the Newman Centers of Arizona's higher institutions of learning, Arizona State University in Tempo and the University of Arizona in Tucson. He had given lectures on Ukrainian Eastern Catholicism in many high schools and religious gatherings throughout Arizona.
Reverend Krotec established several parish committees to tend to the needs of a growing parish. A Building Committee was appointed to obtain funds in order to purchase a new location for the church. A four-and-one-half acre lot was purchased with the intent of relocating the parish. Eventually it was decided that the location of that acreage was not a feasible one. A new search was begun because the parish enrollment kept growing.
On January 2, 1990, the opportunity arose to purchase a large beautiful church and parcels of land at the northwest comer of 37th and Maryland Avenues in Phoenix. In order to avoid having a mortgage on this property, parish member and friends were most generous in donating funds towards defraying the cost of the mortgage. The parish members, who were repaid within a few years after the purchase, also made interest-free loans. On October 7, 1990, His Excellency, Most Reverend Innocent Lotocky, OSBM, and Bishop of the St. Nicholas Eparchy consecrated the new home of me Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church. In 1988, after Reverend Krotec was moved to another parish, Reverend Joseph Chupil was named the pastor, a position he held until his death in November 1994, and Temporary pastoral assignments were made until 1996 when Reverend Hugo Soutus was named Administrator of the parish. A parish residence was originally purchased across from the church in 1990. When a larger residence adjoining the parish parcel of land was available, that residence was sold and the larger residence was purchased. Fencing surrounding the entire parish property was installed as well as the addition of beautiful landscaping.
Reverend Soutus has been instrumental in publishing a Parish Bulletin each Sunday outlining the events of the week as well as establishing an adult Bible Study/Christian Formation group that meets each Sunday following the first Divine Liturgy. Religious Education classes for the younger members of the parish are held each Sunday morning at the same time that their parents are attending the Bible Study/Christian Formation group. There have been many social activities offered to the parish members as well as a "get-to-know and talk" to your fellow parish members by having a Coffee & Sweets gathering after each Sunday's Divine Liturgy. Parish members who have volunteered then-services host Coffee & Sweets. This has been established as a stepping-stone to becoming reacquainted with each other, as well as welcoming new members to the parish.
Dormition of the Mother of God Church is a family with open arms ready and pleased to have you share in the celebration of our beautiful Divine Liturgies.