Ukrainian pioneers began settling the area in 1905 and with the construction of the first church in 1914 organized themselves into a parish which, until 1925, was under the pastoral charge of Winnipeg.

The following are names of the founding members of the parish: Michael and Stefan Teslia, Stefan Senko, Simon Karymazyn, Nykola Povoroznick, Nykyta Bass, Hryhorij Pozerniuk, Andrew Bass, Nykola Yaremchuk, Michael Povorozniuk, Stefan Pronyk, Paul Andriyiv, Joseph Ivan Kshevietsky, Michael Sinevych, Mark Mustafa and Phillip Duchak. Cantoral duties for many years were performed by Vasyl Borshch.

The present church of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second of the parish. Difficult access to the church and the increasing difficulty in accommodating the expanding membership led to the decision of the community to construct a new church in a more favourably placed location. In 1957 the head of the parish committee, Ivan Zelyk (reeve of the St. Andrew's municipality), donated one acre of land located one mile east of the first church, after which the faithful initiated construction of the second church, a task completed in 1958-1959; its cornerstone was blessed on Oct. 9, 1960.

The church was built according to the architectural specifications and design of Rev. P. Ruh under the auspices of the construction committee consisting of Vasyl Voloshyn, Mykola Cesliak, Ivan Kulchisky, and Peter Duchak. At that time members of the parish committee included Michael Povroznick, Stefan Parfaniuk, Joseph Cesliak, Ivan Kozovy, and Michael Pylatyk. Representing the Sisterhood were Mikhaylyna Skazyk, Mikhaylyna Voloshyn, Anna Pylatyk and Mikhaylyna Cesliak, who, with other parishioners, were instrumental in the raising of sufficient funds to finance the project.

(Source: Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Winnipeg Archeparchy, pp 249ff [1991; Adapted])

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In the early 1900's the first Ukrainian Liturgy services were held in the home of Metro Kormilo. Later the services were held in the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, alternating Sundays with Roman Catholic services. In 1909 the existing cemetery property was purchased. In 1914, the Blessed Virgin Mary parishioners began the construction of their own church on the cemetery property.

The existing parish is indebted to the following founding parishioners: Michael Cheslock, Stephan Cheslock, Stephan Sanko, Seman Karmazyn, Nicholas Poworznak, Neketa Boss, Hehori Poworznak, Andrew Boss, Nicholas Eramchuk, Michael Poworznak, Stephan Pronyk, Paul Andreyo, Joseph Cheslock, John Syvewytski, Michael Senavich, Marko Mustapha, Philip Ducheck.

(Source: Beyond the Gates of Lower Fort Garry 1880-1981, pp 48f [1981; Adapted])

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Established in 1913.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society [Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD05-17-13-04-E1

In the Rural Municipality of St Andrews

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As noted above, a part of the town's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 1999 is told in the volume "Beyond the Gates of Lower Fort Garry 1880-1981", and in the related volume "Beyond the Gates of Lower Fort Garry - A Sequel", especially on the cited pages.

Free digital versions of these and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0533), transcribed by a member or members in 1990 and updated in 1995. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

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Additionally, and as noted above, the volume "Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Winnipeg Archeparchy", also freely available online via the U of Manitoba Digital Archives, provides information about the parish, especially starting on page nnn. That one book is from Volume IV in the set entitled "History of Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Canada".

Further, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Manitoba Branch) centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Ukrainian descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.