St. Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church (Windsor, Ontario) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Nicholas |
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View of St. Nicholas Macedonian Orthodox Church
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| Location | 5225 Howard Avenue Windsor, Ontario N9A 6Z6 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Denomination | Macedonian Orthodox Church |
| Website | macedonianccw.com |
| History | |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | American-Canadian |
St. Nicholas (in Macedonian: Свети Никола) is a special Macedonian Orthodox Church found in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It's a place where people from the Macedonian community gather and celebrate their faith.
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St. Nicholas Church: A Community Hub
This church is more than just a building. It's a busy center for the Macedonian community in Windsor. People come here for religious services and to take part in many fun activities.
History of the Church
The St. Nicholas Church was first started on April 5, 1971. A few years later, on August 12, 1979, a special church leader called Bishop Kiril blessed the church.
Sadly, in May 1980, the church building burned down completely. But the community didn't give up! They built a brand new, much bigger church in the same spot.
Over 40 years, the church has grown a lot. It started small, fitting only 50 people. Then it was made bigger for 100 people. Today, the church can welcome up to 350 people inside.
Inside the Church
The main part of the church, called the sanctuary, is a beautiful space. It has three large domes on top and bells that ring out.
Inside, you'll see a special screen called an iconostasis. This screen is decorated with many religious pictures, called icons. This beautiful iconostasis was made in North Macedonia.
The southern wall of the church is covered with amazing paintings called frescoes. These frescoes show scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. A Macedonian artist named Gligor Stefanov painted them. There are also plans to add more paintings to the northern wall.
At the back of the church, on the western wall, there's a balcony. This is where the church choir sings. It has a lovely decorated wooden background.
Community Life and Activities
The church owns a large area of land, about 16 acres (65,000 m2). On this land, there's a community center for everyone to use. There are also two modern banquet halls, which are great for parties and events. The kitchen is up-to-date, and there are rooms for staff.
Outside, there's a big parking lot that can hold 250 cars. There's also a park with a soccer field, surrounded by forests.
The church community is very active. It has a women's group called an auxiliary, a club for seniors, and a choir group. They even have a radio program! In the past, the church has offered Sunday school, religious classes, a Macedonian folk dance group, a soccer team, and a children's drama club. They also host many different exhibits.
