St. Josaphat Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Josaphat Cathedral |
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| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Provincial Historic Resource - 1983 |
| Architect(s) | Phillip Ruh |
| Style | Prairie Cathedral (first of this style) |
| Groundbreaking | 1939 |
| Completed | 1947 |
| Construction cost | $250,000 ($3.44 million in 2021 dollars ) |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 7 |
| Dome height (outer) | 100 feet |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton |
St. Josaphat Cathedral is a beautiful Ukrainian Catholic cathedral in McCauley, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is one of the best examples of Ukrainian church design in Canada. This church is the main seat for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, meaning it's where the bishop leads. It has been a cathedral since 1948. The building covers 18 city lots in the McCauley neighborhood. It is special because of its seven domes, a grand entrance with columns, and red brick walls decorated with darker bricks and cream-colored crosses.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
Early Beginnings
The church community, called a parish, started in 1902. It was founded by the Order of Saint Basil the Great, a group of priests. At first, the community did not have a permanent church building. A small church made of logs was built in 1904. This first church was built under the guidance of Reverend Sozont Dydyk.
Amazing Architecture
Designing a Special Church
The current church building was designed in 1938. The architect was Reverend Philip Ruh. He was a missionary from Belgium. Reverend Ruh carefully studied the church designs from Ukraine. He wanted the new building to feel culturally right for the people who would worship there.
A Unique Canadian Style
Reverend Ruh's design mixes different styles. It combines parts of Ukrainian Baroque design with ideas from Western European buildings. This mix created a unique Canadian style. It is often called "Prairie Cathedral." This cathedral is thought to be "the most elaborate Ukrainian Church in Alberta." It is also considered "one of the finest examples of Ukrainian-Canadian church architecture."
Building and Recognition
Construction of the cathedral lasted from 1939 to 1947. The building became a cathedral in 1948. This happened when Edmonton was chosen as the main city for a new church region, led by a bishop. The first bishop was the Most Reverend Neil N. Savaryn. He was appointed to lead the Ukrainian Catholic community in Alberta and British Columbia.
Starting in 1951, artists began painting the inside of the church. They created beautiful murals, frescos, and icons. This work was led by Professor Julian Bucmaniuk, a famous muralist. In 1968, the iconostasis was built. An iconostasis is a wall of icons and religious paintings. St. Josaphat Cathedral was recognized as a Provincial Historic Resource by Alberta in 1983. It was also named a Municipal Historic Resource by the City of Edmonton in 2015. This means it is an important historical building.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Josafat (Edmonton) para niños
