The Ukrainian church
The history
The Church of the Holy Protection was bought from the Methodist community in 1977, by the first generation of Ukrainians in Halifax. Over the year extensive renovations saw the addition of the ikonsatasis (around the altar) and a balcony to accommodate the large community of the day. In time a number of processions were held from the club to the church to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine, the commemoration the 1932-33 Russian imposed famine on Ukraine as well as remembering those who fought and died for Ukraine. All of these events are remembered by commemorative plaques which will be removed to a plot in Stoney Road Cemetery, Halifax. The religious artefacts are to be shared amongst other Ukrainian churches within the UK with a final donation to the mother church in Ukraine.
The history
The Church of the Holy Protection was bought from the Methodist community in 1977, by the first generation of Ukrainians in Halifax. Over the year extensive renovations saw the addition of the ikonsatasis (around the altar) and a balcony to accommodate the large community of the day. In time a number of processions were held from the club to the church to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine, the commemoration the 1932-33 Russian imposed famine on Ukraine as well as remembering those who fought and died for Ukraine. All of these events are remembered by commemorative plaques which will be removed to a plot in Stoney Road Cemetery, Halifax. The religious artefacts are to be shared amongst other Ukrainian churches within the UK with a final donation to the mother church in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian community wanted to preserve its religious and spiritual beliefs as in Ukraine, the Eastern Rite Catholic Church had been banned and was being persecuted by the Soviet Russians.
Members of the Ukrainian Community donated money, time and effort to establish the church which was the only one in Calderdale. The church contains some traditional religious art and folk craft - at one time it was home to the only Markian Shashkevych museum in the country. Markian Shashkevych was a 19th Century poet priest who led a literary revival and promoted the Ukrainian language. He is commemorated in one of the icons in the church. The Holy Protection Church is just over a year short of celebrating its 40th anniversary, at the time of closure in 2016. As part of the final mass the Patriarch came to visit Halifax on October 2017 as part of his UK tour of Ukrainian parishes . He led a short mass, a 'moleben' which was followed by a concert and dinner at the Ukrainian Hall.
Members of the Ukrainian Community donated money, time and effort to establish the church which was the only one in Calderdale. The church contains some traditional religious art and folk craft - at one time it was home to the only Markian Shashkevych museum in the country. Markian Shashkevych was a 19th Century poet priest who led a literary revival and promoted the Ukrainian language. He is commemorated in one of the icons in the church. The Holy Protection Church is just over a year short of celebrating its 40th anniversary, at the time of closure in 2016. As part of the final mass the Patriarch came to visit Halifax on October 2017 as part of his UK tour of Ukrainian parishes . He led a short mass, a 'moleben' which was followed by a concert and dinner at the Ukrainian Hall.
The explore
We've frequented Queens roads a few times with not much luck... but had remained hopeful in returning and documenting the place before the church is sold and passed onto new owners. The church seems to have gone down hill since our last visit earlier in the year... subsequently it looks like the Ukraines have stepped up their operations in stripping the place. A declining congregation, lack of donations, structural damage, ongoing repairs, increased running costs and a burglary last year, has caused extensive damage, making the church no longer sustainable or viable. The church is extensive and appears to have housed a living quarter at some point... elsewhere a library and educational facility.
LBE
