Architectural splendor is abundant throughout the Susquehanna Valley landscape in the many houses of worship. Each week in this space, The Daily Item will feature a grandiose structure with information about its origin. Additional photos and historical information will be published about each structure featured as well as many others located in Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties. The full collection of beautiful treasures in the Valley will be published in a book titled “Domes & Spires.” Look for it in September.
SHAMOKIN -- In 1880, Ukrainian immigrants began settling in Shamokin and the surrounding areas. At this time, there was not a single Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States, and the immigrants of the Shamokin area attended church at the Polish Latin Rite Catholic Church.
In 1884, the Ukrainian miners in the nearby town of Shenandoah requested a priest of their own, and in 1886, Father Ivan Volansky built the first Ukrainian Catholic Church on American soil. Among the first to visit were people of the Shamokin area.
With the arrival of a greater number of immigrants in Shamokin, the thought arose of building a church or a chapel. In November of 1888, a lot was purchased in Shamokin for $400 and a building contractor was engaged for the sum of $3,090. A wooden structure was to be built. Toward the end of 1889, the building of the church was complete and was blessed on Aug. 30, 1890.
The number of parishioners was constantly increasing and the faithful were not able to fit in the church.
With the thought of expansion, a building fund was begun as early as 1895. At the same time, the people were looking for a suitable location and trying to figure out how they could build a new church at the lowest cost. A lot was found and was to be purchased for a nominal fee of $8,000, but the parish did not have the money and was still burdened with debt from the original church.
On Oct. 25, 1904, the church was sold for the sum of $5,500, the bells for $250, and the rectory for $4,500.
In 1904, the architectural firm of Luaife & Howe from Jersey City, N.J., was engaged to draw up plans for a great church in the Byzantine style. The bid of East & Lumb Co. to build the church of granite for the sum of $46,000 was accepted. The stone for the church was supplied by the Rylston Stone Co., of Gouverneur, N.Y. The copper for the roof and domes was purchased from Horsch Bros., of Allentown. The building of the church took approximately one year from the end of 1904 to the end of 1905. The total cost of the building of the church and the interior decorations and fixtures amounted to $82,752. In such a short time, one of the most beautiful Ukrainian Catholic Churches in America rose, and parishioners of the Shamokin area can be justly proud of their accomplishments.
Through the years, repairs to the roof and domes have taken place, the church repainted, a new floor and the pews refinished. The generosity of the individuals and organizations have donated various important items for the church such as stained-glass windows, candelabras, lights, vestments have totaled well over $100,000 since the existence of the parish.
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Liz Rohde/The Daily Item
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Shamokin's Ukrainin church dates back to 1889
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