holy trinity | Anniversary and history

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Byzantine Rite, 526 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown, is marking its 100th anniversary.

Open house: An open house is set from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 8. There will be tours of the church interior and its museum.

Celebration: A Divine Liturgy is planned for 2 p.m. Oct. 16 with Bishop John Bura, apostolic administrator, Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of St. Josephat in Parma; Bishop Richard Seminack, bishop of St. Nicholas Eparchy in Chicago; and Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown. A banquet will be later at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. Reservations are required; the cost is $25 for adults and $10 for those 18 and younger. Call the church at 330-744-5820. Jack Vasko Band and Ukrainian dancers from Cleveland and Mahoning Valley will entertain.

Website: www.holytrinityukrbyz.org.

The beginning: In 1870s, immigrants from what is today Ukraine arrived in the United States and a second contingent group arrived in the early 1880s from the Galicia (Halychyna) region of Western Ukraine. By 1909, there were about 150 Ukrainian families in the Youngstown area who organized a church. The Rev. Stephanovich came to Youngstown to celebrate the first Divine Liturgy in Diebel Hall on West Federal Street. In 1909, Bishop Soter Ortynsky assigned the Rev. Michael Balogh as the first pastor of Holy Trinity. The property of the present church was purchased.

Construction: Father Balogh ministered the parish until December of 1909 when he was succeeded by the Rev. Basil Zacerkovny, who hastened building plans. The church was incorporated in Ohio on Jan. 17, 1911. The cornerstone of the church edifice was blessed by Bishop Ortynsky on Nov. 12, 1911.

Refinements: From 1913-18, Father Zacerkovny was devoted to the completion of the church interior. In 1914, the dome windows and stained glass windows of the four evangelists in the sanctuary were installed along with three bells in the bell towers and marble altar. In 1920, hand-crafted iconastas made by artisans from Ukraine. The Sisterhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary was organized in 1923 and the Altar Boys Society in 1927.

1930s: In 1935, the mortgage was paid in full. The Senior Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary was organized.

1950s: Under Archpriest Isidore Nahajewsky, the church bought 14 acres on the east side known as Berkley Woods. The Ukrainian Hall, across from the church, was bought. In August 1950, the Rev. Leo Adamiak became pastor. In 1955, a 110-foot frontage was acquired for parking on the west side of the church hall. In 1957, there was interior repair including re-gilding of the iconastas. In 1958, the St. Anne Guild was organized.

1960s: The parish had nearly 3,000 parishioners. Property was bought in Austintown to construct a school and a church-chapel. In 1964, the mission parish was designated St. Anne, which was elevated to a parish on March 15, 1975.

1970s: In 1973, a a new rectory was built. In 1978, new symbolic doors were installed and in 1979, an interior renovation began.

1980s: Under Monsignor Adamiak, property was bought on the west side of the church, where a shrine was built to mark the 75th anniversary of the parish. On June 12, 1986, an 80-foot cross was placed on a pedestal. The shrine was dedicated Sept. 1, 1986.

2000s: Monsignor Adamiak retired in 2005, after serving as pastor for 55 years. The Rev. Steven Zarichny has served as pastor since October 2008. The social hall basement level was remodeled. Repair and painting of the main interior church dome was completed in 2010. In 2011, a new outdoor sign was installed.

Source: Holy Trinity church history