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{{Infobox church |
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|name = St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish |
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|fullname = |
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|image = Stjoessnowy.jpg |
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|imagesize = 250px |
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|landscape = |
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|caption = |
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|location = 5000 N. Cumberland, [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] |
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|country = USA |
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|coordinates = {{coord|41|58|14|N|87|50|14|W|type:edu_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}} |
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|denomination = [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic]] |
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|churchmanship= [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Byzantine]] |
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|membership = |
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|attendance = |
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|website = http://www.stjosephukr.com |
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|former name = |
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|bull date = |
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|founded date = August 1956 |
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|founder = Joseph Shary |
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|dedication = Bishop Jaroslaw Gabro |
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|dedicated date = |
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|consecrated date = |
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|cult = |
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|relics = |
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|events = |
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|past bishop = |
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|people = |
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|status = |
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|functional status = Active |
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|heritage designation = Ukrainian |
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|designated date = |
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|architect = [[Zenon Mazurkevich]] |
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|architectural type = Ultra-Modern |
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|style = |
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|groundbreaking = 1975 |
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|completed date = 1977 |
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|construction cost = $1,750,000 |
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|closed date = |
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|demolished date = |
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|parish = |
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|deanery = Chicago |
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|archdeaconry = |
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|diocese = [[Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago]] |
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|province = [[Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia]] |
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|presbytery = |
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|synod = [[:uk:Синод_УГКЦ|Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Synod of Bishops]] |
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|circuit = |
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|district = |
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|division = |
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|subdivision = |
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|archbishop = [[Stephen Soroka]] |
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|bishop = [[Richard Seminack]] |
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|dean = |
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|subdean = |
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|provost = |
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|provost-rector = |
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|viceprovost = |
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|canon = |
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|canonpastor = |
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|precentor = |
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|archdeacon = |
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|prebendary = |
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|rector = |
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|vicar = |
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|curate = |
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|pastor = Mykola Buryadnyk |
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|priest = Volodymyr Kushnir |
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|asstpriest = |
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|minister = |
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|assistant = |
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|honpriest = |
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|deacon = |
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|seniorpastor = |
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|abbot = |
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|chaplain = |
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|reader = |
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|organistdom = |
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|director = |
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|organist = |
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|organscholar = |
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|chapterclerk = |
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|laychapter = |
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|warden = |
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|flowerguild = |
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|musicgroup = "[[Irmos]]" Choir, [[Cherubim|Kheruvym]] Chamber Choir |
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|parishadmin = |
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|serversguild = |
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|logo = |
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|logosize = |
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}} |
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'''St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church''' is a [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] church located in [[Chicago]] and belonging to the [[Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago|St. Nicholas Eparchy for the Ukrainian Catholics]]. The building has an ultra-modern roof, comprising thirteen gold domes which symbolize the [[twelve apostles]] and [[Jesus Christ]] as the largest center dome. |
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==Church building== |
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[[Image:Stjoesfulloutside.jpg|thumb|thumb|250px|St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] |
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=== Interior === |
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'''St. Joseph The Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic church''' is a [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] church located in [[Chicago, Illinois]] and belonging to the [[Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago|St. Nicholas Eparchy for the Ukrainian Catholics]]. It is the second largest parish in the diocese. The church, designed by [[Zenon Mazurkevich]], was built in 1975–1977.<ref name=EC/> |
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The interior of the church is adorned with [[Byzantine style]] [[icons]] ([[frescoes]]). |
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Relief [[geometric patterns]] of crosses are etched into the walls of the second story of the current structure. The underlying materials from which the crosser were made was left visible until in 1996 and 1997 pastor Fr. Pavlo Hayda had them painted, and the gold domes restored. The [[iconostasis]] inside the church is a traditional [[Byzantine]] iconostasis with two tiers and is in the Modern [[Cossack Baroque]] Style. |
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St. Joseph the Betrothed is housed in a church building with a roof topped by thirteen gold domes. The twelve outer domes symbolize the [[twelve apostles]] and the largest dome, in the center, represents [[Jesus Christ]]. This unique design has led to it being listed as one of the "10 Most Unique Churches in the World"<ref>http://www.oddee.com/item_96506.aspx </ref>, as well as other lists of interesting architecture.<ref>http://villageofjoy.com/20-unusual-churches-part-i/ </ref> |
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In the rear, on the west end of the [[altar server]] and [[priest]] [[sacristy]], is the diminutive [[Parascheva of the Balkans|St. Paraskevia]] Chapel, named after the saint from whom Fr. Shary's (see [[#History|History]]) mother took her name. Daily morning services take place here, and the main sanctuary is used for celebrating Divine Liturgies on Saturdays, Sundays, and high holy days. The iconostasis in the chapel is the original for the church on this site. |
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== Buildings == |
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[[Image:St Joseph the Betrothed 080202.jpg|thumb|left|thumb|120px|The center, main dome of The church Depicting Christ the Enthroned as this dome represents Him.]] |
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The [[iconostasis]] inside the church is a traditional [[Byzantine]] iconostasis with two tiers and is in the [[Modern]] [[Cossack Baroque]] Style. The interior of the church is completely adorned with [[Byzantine style]] [[icons]] ([[frescoes]]). At the second level of the new structure are relief [[geometric patterns]] of crosses etched into the walls. Unfortunately, not all the saints were inscribed as is normally prescribed by [[iconographic]] traditions, as the iconographer was deported back to Ukraine before he was finished. |
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=== Grotto === |
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Among the things that attracted a great deal of attention was the large [[Rock (geology)|rock]] near the ramp leading up to the entrance of the [[church (building)|church]]. It is a piece of the [[Canadian Shield]] that found its way to the site where the new church was built. It was retrieved by the [[contractors]] during excavation of the foundation. The [[pastor]] saved it and had it placed in its present position after [[construction]] was completed in 1976. |
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Across the way from the church is a [[grotto]] [[Shrine]] dedicated to [[Marian Apparitions|Our Lady]] of [[Hoshiv]] with an [[altar]] sometimes used for outdoor services (such as Pascha Blessing). In 2006, Fr. Pavlo's wife, Christine, led a restoration and relandscaping of the grotto into a memorial garden, which is now dedicated to deceased parishioners. |
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== History == |
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In the rear, on the west end of the [[altar server]] and [[priest]] [[sacristy]] is the [[St. Paraskevia]] Chapel. Notably, the [[Iconostasis]] in the chapel is the same one from the original 1950s church (see history below). The chapel seats ten to fifteen people. |
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In August 1956, Archbishop [[Constantine Bohachevsky]] appointed Fr. Joseph Shary to organize a new community. The first two [[Liturgies]] were celebrated at [[St. Patrick High School (Chicago)|St. Patrick's High School]] Auditorium, with the first church being built at its current location. This building stands north of the current church building and is used as a Parish Life Center that houses offices, classrooms, and a hall. It is also home to the [[Selfreliance]] Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union's northwest branch. |
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As the community expanded, Fr. Shary realized the parish needed a larger facility. He saw this as an opportunity to build what he termed a church for "The Glory of God and Future Generations." The church, designed by architect [[Zenon Mazurkevich]] of Philadelphia and constructed by Walter Bratkiv of REM Builders, Inc., was dedicated and consecrated by Bishop [[Jaroslav Gabro]] on May 22, 1977. |
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Across the way from the church is a [[grotto]] ([[shrine]]) set up to [[Our Lady]] of [[Hushed]] with an [[altar]] sometimes used for outdoor services. In 2006 the pastor's wife led a restoration and relandscaping of the grotto into a memorial garden to deceased parishioners. |
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== |
==Milestones== |
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The history of St. Joseph begins with Bishop [[Constantine Bohachevsky]], [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of [[Philadelphia]] officially establishing St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church on August 1, 1956. Father Joseph Shary was sent here as the organizing [[pastor]], who upon his arrival in Chicago was met with an energetic group of Ukrainian Catholics anxious to expand the Chicago Ukrainian religious community into the Northwest Side. |
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In the years after [[World War II]] many [[Ukrainians]] were moving out of the [[Ukrainian Village, Chicago|Ukrainian Village]] into the [[Northwest Side, Chicago|Northwest Side of Chicago]]. Fr. Joseph Shary was appointed to organize a new community. The first [[liturgies]] in 1956 were celebrated at [[St. Patrick's High School]] auditorium, of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Archdiocese of Chicago]]. Construction of the original building commenced in 1958. With growth, a new building was required, and the current edifice was constructed from 1975-1977.<ref name=EC>{{ cite web | url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1058.html | title=Church Architecture | publisher=Encyclopedia of Chicago | accessdate=2009-01-03 }}</ref> |
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[[Image:Insidestjoesbrighter.jpg|thumb|right|thumb|150px|The interior of the new church next to the original one.]] |
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===Timeline=== |
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St. Joseph’s choir joined with [[St. Nicholas]] [[Cathedral]] Slavuta choir to become known as the Metropolitan [[Andrej Sheptytsky]] Choir of [[Chicago]]. The choir recorded an album of a newly commissioned composition of the [[Divine Liturgy]], by Andrij Hnatyshyn. One of the most momentous [[performance]]s by the choir was for the visit of [[Pope John Paul II]] in [[Grant Park]], in 1979. |
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On August 21, 1956, [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Samuel Stritch]], permitted the parish to use [[St. Patrick High School (Chicago)|St. Patrick's]] [[Congregation of Christian Brothers|Christian Brothers]] High School facilities on [[Belmont Avenue (Chicago)|Belmont Avenue]], until the newly formed parish was financially in a position to purchase land to build a church. Stritch promised all possible assistance in this endeavor. |
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In 1958, building began on Cumberland Avenue. The upper portion became the church, with the addition of pews, [[altars]] and other appropriate furnishings, which were gifts from [[Immaculate Heart of Mary]] Parish. |
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== Leadership == |
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===Past pastors of St. Joseph the Betrothed=== |
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The lower hall became the hub of cultural, social and fund-raising functions, such as parish praznyks, sviachenes, [[bake sale]]s, [[choir]] rehearsals, rummage sales, children's programs, [[Ukrainian dance]] lessons, dances, and countless other activities. |
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On October 1, 1975, construction of the new church edifice began. |
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On May 22, 1977, Bishop Jaroslav Gabro dedicated the church. |
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The large rock near the entrance ramp attracted attention to the church. It is a piece of the [[Canadian Shield]] brought to the new church's building site. It was retrieved by the contractors during excavation of the foundation. The [[pastor]] saved it and had it placed in its present position after construction was completed in 1976. |
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In 1988, a hand-carved [[iconostasis]], designed in the Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition by Borys Makarenko, was installed in the church. |
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[[File:St joes center.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The interior of the new church next to the original one.]] |
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The Altar [[Rosary]] Society (ARS) has promoted various Ukrainian cultural and social activities, bringing the various components of the society together. When the church was erected, the Altar Rosary Society covered the cost of the installation of the [[marble]] floor and apsidial wall. They also sponsored the royal [[throne]], the altars, and the [[church tabernacle|tabernacle]]. Additionally they provided and maintained the altar [[linens]] and many of the [[vestments]]. To raise this money, the Altar Rosary Society sponsored [[fashion show]]s, bake sales, yearly pascha sale, turkey raffles, [[bazaar]]s, white-elephant sales, family picnics. Additionally, the members staffed the kitchen, and equipped the church hall kitchen for dinners, picnics, [[carnival]]s, breakfasts and other activities. |
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[[Image:St Joseph the Betrothed 080202.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The main dome of the church depicting Christ on the dome representing him.]] |
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St. Joseph Church Choir was established in August 1956. |
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For one and a half years, the choir was trained and directed by Father Shary. Julian Pozniak, a qualified and trained cantor and experienced choir director, remained the sole director and [[Cantor (church)|cantor]] for St. Joseph’s until his retirement. Jaroslav Stefaniuk, with Julian Pozniak's guidance, became choir director and cantor, until his death in March 2006. |
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Each Sunday the choir sang [[Divine Liturgy]], caroled at [[Christmas]] time, and sang at various functions and events throughout the year. Performances took place for the Ukrainian community, but at religious and secular venues, such as the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]]. |
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St. Joseph's choir joined with the [[St. Nicholas Cathedral, Chicago|St. Nicholas Cathedral]] Slavuta choir to become known as the Metropolitan [[Andrej Sheptytsky]] Choir of Chicago. The choir recorded an album of a newly commissioned composition of the [[Divine Liturgy]], by Andrij Hnatyshyn. One of the most momentous performances by the choir was for the visit of [[Pope John Paul II]] in [[Grant Park (Chicago)|Grant Park]], in 1979. |
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The Acres of Fun Festivals, and the Friday night Bingos, along with the Pyrohy sales were major fundraisers for the parish, due in large part to the parish volunteers. |
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Many young parishioners were in the Sts. Cyril and Methodious Youth Group, were altar servers, orboth. They volunteered at parish events, as well as participating in liturgical services. They volunteered in soup kitchens, participated in retreats and organized citywide youth nights. |
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== Priests over the years == |
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Many of the presiding priests were assigned to St. Joseph Parish while only in their twenties. The first pastor was Fr. Joseph Shary, after whom the parish is named, along with St. Josaphat in [[Munster, Indiana]]. |
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===Pastors=== |
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* Rev. Joseph Shary 1956-1982 |
* Rev. Joseph Shary 1956-1982 |
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* |
* Msgr. William Bilinsky 1982-1983 |
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* Rev. Andriy Chirovsky 1983-1985 |
* Rev. Andriy Chirovsky 1983-1985 |
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* Rev. Mykhajlo Kuzma 1985-1987 |
* Rev. Mykhajlo Kuzma 1985-1987 |
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* |
* Msgr. William Bilinsky 1987-1995 |
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* Rev. Pavlo Hayda 1995-2007 |
* Rev. Pavlo Hayda 1995-2007 |
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* Rev. Mykola Buryadnyk |
* Rev. Mykola Buryadnyk 2008–Present |
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[[Image:Fr. tom.jpg|thumb|right|75 px|Fr. Thomas "Tom" Glynn]] |
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=== Current Priests === |
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[[Image:O mykola.jpg|thumb|left|thumb|Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk, Pastor.]] |
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'''Rev. Mykola Buryadnyk''' - Pastor |
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Mykola Buryadnyk was born in the [[Lviv region]] in [[Ukraine]]; his father was a Ukranian priest. After attending the [[Pedagogical Lyceum]], Fr. Mykola entered the [[Lviv Theological Academy]] and [[Holy Spirit Seminary]], and during his studies twice he visited the [[United States]]. He was ordained a [[deacon]] in 2000 and a priest in 2002. He then moved to the United States with his wife. He was appointed [[pastor]] of St. Joseph the Betrothed parish in 2008. |
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=== Current priests === |
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'''Very Rev. Canon Thomas Glynn''' - Associate Pastor |
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Thomas Glynn, a native Chicagoan of Irish ancestry, has served as associate pastor for St. Joseph the Betrothed since 1989. He has been a priest since 1964. |
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'''Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk''' (2009–Present) - Pastor |
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{{-}} |
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Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph parish in February 2008. Since he came to the parish, he helped establish and revitalize several parish organizations such as the [[Ukrainian Language]] [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] Group, the [[martial arts]] school of Combat Hopak, the Vyshyvanka School of Dance, and the [[Echo (phenomenon)|Homin]] Theater Group. Fr. Mykola, along with his pastoral ministry, also led the church's roof repairs and [[gold leaf]] reapplication the church's interior. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Gallery== |
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== External links == |
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<gallery> |
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* [http://www.stjosephucc.org Official Website] |
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File:Vew from loft stjucc.jpg|View from the Choir Loft |
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* [http://www.stnicholaseparchy.org/ Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago] |
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File:St paraskevia chapel.jpg|St. Paraskevia Chapel Located behind the Apse of the main church |
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<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: File:Stjoesapse.jpg| Apse of the main church building depicting the Eternal [[Last Supper]] in traditional [[Byzantine]] style. --> |
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File:Ceiling from altar.jpg|Ceiling of the church from the altar showing the dome |
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File:Iconostasis detail.jpg|[[Iconostasis]] detail depicting the [[Theotokos]]. |
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File:South view panorama.jpg|Thirteen domes representing the [[twelve Disciples]] and [[Christ Pantocrator]] |
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</gallery> |
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==External links== |
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{{coord missing|Illinois}} |
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*{{Commonscat-inline|St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church}} |
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*[http://www.stjosephukr.com/ Official website] |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APbfkPe6d7M Photo slideshow of St. Joseph Church, Christmas 2009] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820100928/http://www.stnicholaseparchy.org/ Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Nicholas of Chicago] |
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* [http://www.oddee.com/item_96506.aspx List of the 10 most unique churches in the world] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chicago Joseph the Betrothed Church}} |
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[[Category:Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia of Philadelphia]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Eastern Catholic churches in Illinois]] |
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[[Category:Ukrainian Catholic churches in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Ukrainian-American culture in Chicago|Joseph the Betrothed Church]] |
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[[Category:Churches in Chicago|Joseph the Betrothed Church]] |
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[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1956]] |
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[[Category:Rusyn-American culture in Illinois]] |
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[[Category:Church buildings with domes]] |
Latest revision as of 00:07, 19 January 2024
St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish | |
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![]() | |
![]() | |
41°58′14″N 87°50′14″W / 41.97056°N 87.83722°W | |
Location | 5000 N. Cumberland, Chicago, Illinois |
Country | USA |
Denomination | Ukrainian Greek Catholic |
Churchmanship | Byzantine |
Website | http://www.stjosephukr.com |
History | |
Founded | August 1956 |
Founder(s) | Joseph Shary |
Dedication | Bishop Jaroslaw Gabro |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Ukrainian |
Architect(s) | Zenon Mazurkevich |
Architectural type | Ultra-Modern |
Groundbreaking | 1975 |
Completed | 1977 |
Construction cost | $1,750,000 |
Administration | |
Synod | Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Synod of Bishops |
Province | Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia |
Diocese | Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Chicago |
Deanery | Chicago |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Stephen Soroka |
Bishop(s) | Richard Seminack |
Priest(s) | Volodymyr Kushnir |
Pastor(s) | Mykola Buryadnyk |
Laity | |
Music group(s) | "Irmos" Choir, Kheruvym Chamber Choir |
St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church is a Ukrainian church located in Chicago and belonging to the St. Nicholas Eparchy for the Ukrainian Catholics. The building has an ultra-modern roof, comprising thirteen gold domes which symbolize the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ as the largest center dome.
Church building
Interior
The interior of the church is adorned with Byzantine style icons (frescoes).
Relief geometric patterns of crosses are etched into the walls of the second story of the current structure. The underlying materials from which the crosser were made was left visible until in 1996 and 1997 pastor Fr. Pavlo Hayda had them painted, and the gold domes restored. The iconostasis inside the church is a traditional Byzantine iconostasis with two tiers and is in the Modern Cossack Baroque Style.
In the rear, on the west end of the altar server and priest sacristy, is the diminutive St. Paraskevia Chapel, named after the saint from whom Fr. Shary's (see History) mother took her name. Daily morning services take place here, and the main sanctuary is used for celebrating Divine Liturgies on Saturdays, Sundays, and high holy days. The iconostasis in the chapel is the original for the church on this site.
Grotto
Across the way from the church is a grotto Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Hoshiv with an altar sometimes used for outdoor services (such as Pascha Blessing). In 2006, Fr. Pavlo's wife, Christine, led a restoration and relandscaping of the grotto into a memorial garden, which is now dedicated to deceased parishioners.
History
In August 1956, Archbishop Constantine Bohachevsky appointed Fr. Joseph Shary to organize a new community. The first two Liturgies were celebrated at St. Patrick's High School Auditorium, with the first church being built at its current location. This building stands north of the current church building and is used as a Parish Life Center that houses offices, classrooms, and a hall. It is also home to the Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union's northwest branch.
As the community expanded, Fr. Shary realized the parish needed a larger facility. He saw this as an opportunity to build what he termed a church for "The Glory of God and Future Generations." The church, designed by architect Zenon Mazurkevich of Philadelphia and constructed by Walter Bratkiv of REM Builders, Inc., was dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Jaroslav Gabro on May 22, 1977.
Milestones
The history of St. Joseph begins with Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia officially establishing St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church on August 1, 1956. Father Joseph Shary was sent here as the organizing pastor, who upon his arrival in Chicago was met with an energetic group of Ukrainian Catholics anxious to expand the Chicago Ukrainian religious community into the Northwest Side.
Timeline
On August 21, 1956, Cardinal Samuel Stritch, permitted the parish to use St. Patrick's Christian Brothers High School facilities on Belmont Avenue, until the newly formed parish was financially in a position to purchase land to build a church. Stritch promised all possible assistance in this endeavor.
In 1958, building began on Cumberland Avenue. The upper portion became the church, with the addition of pews, altars and other appropriate furnishings, which were gifts from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
The lower hall became the hub of cultural, social and fund-raising functions, such as parish praznyks, sviachenes, bake sales, choir rehearsals, rummage sales, children's programs, Ukrainian dance lessons, dances, and countless other activities.
On October 1, 1975, construction of the new church edifice began.
On May 22, 1977, Bishop Jaroslav Gabro dedicated the church.
The large rock near the entrance ramp attracted attention to the church. It is a piece of the Canadian Shield brought to the new church's building site. It was retrieved by the contractors during excavation of the foundation. The pastor saved it and had it placed in its present position after construction was completed in 1976.
In 1988, a hand-carved iconostasis, designed in the Byzantine-Ukrainian tradition by Borys Makarenko, was installed in the church.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/St_joes_center.jpg/250px-St_joes_center.jpg)
The Altar Rosary Society (ARS) has promoted various Ukrainian cultural and social activities, bringing the various components of the society together. When the church was erected, the Altar Rosary Society covered the cost of the installation of the marble floor and apsidial wall. They also sponsored the royal throne, the altars, and the tabernacle. Additionally they provided and maintained the altar linens and many of the vestments. To raise this money, the Altar Rosary Society sponsored fashion shows, bake sales, yearly pascha sale, turkey raffles, bazaars, white-elephant sales, family picnics. Additionally, the members staffed the kitchen, and equipped the church hall kitchen for dinners, picnics, carnivals, breakfasts and other activities.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/St_Joseph_the_Betrothed_080202.jpg/250px-St_Joseph_the_Betrothed_080202.jpg)
St. Joseph Church Choir was established in August 1956.
For one and a half years, the choir was trained and directed by Father Shary. Julian Pozniak, a qualified and trained cantor and experienced choir director, remained the sole director and cantor for St. Joseph’s until his retirement. Jaroslav Stefaniuk, with Julian Pozniak's guidance, became choir director and cantor, until his death in March 2006.
Each Sunday the choir sang Divine Liturgy, caroled at Christmas time, and sang at various functions and events throughout the year. Performances took place for the Ukrainian community, but at religious and secular venues, such as the Museum of Science and Industry.
St. Joseph's choir joined with the St. Nicholas Cathedral Slavuta choir to become known as the Metropolitan Andrej Sheptytsky Choir of Chicago. The choir recorded an album of a newly commissioned composition of the Divine Liturgy, by Andrij Hnatyshyn. One of the most momentous performances by the choir was for the visit of Pope John Paul II in Grant Park, in 1979.
The Acres of Fun Festivals, and the Friday night Bingos, along with the Pyrohy sales were major fundraisers for the parish, due in large part to the parish volunteers.
Many young parishioners were in the Sts. Cyril and Methodious Youth Group, were altar servers, orboth. They volunteered at parish events, as well as participating in liturgical services. They volunteered in soup kitchens, participated in retreats and organized citywide youth nights.
Priests over the years
Many of the presiding priests were assigned to St. Joseph Parish while only in their twenties. The first pastor was Fr. Joseph Shary, after whom the parish is named, along with St. Josaphat in Munster, Indiana.
Pastors
- Rev. Joseph Shary 1956-1982
- Msgr. William Bilinsky 1982-1983
- Rev. Andriy Chirovsky 1983-1985
- Rev. Mykhajlo Kuzma 1985-1987
- Msgr. William Bilinsky 1987-1995
- Rev. Pavlo Hayda 1995-2007
- Rev. Mykola Buryadnyk 2008–Present
Current priests
Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk (2009–Present) - Pastor Fr. Mykola Buryadnyk was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph parish in February 2008. Since he came to the parish, he helped establish and revitalize several parish organizations such as the Ukrainian Language Bible study Group, the martial arts school of Combat Hopak, the Vyshyvanka School of Dance, and the Homin Theater Group. Fr. Mykola, along with his pastoral ministry, also led the church's roof repairs and gold leaf reapplication the church's interior.
Gallery
-
View from the Choir Loft
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St. Paraskevia Chapel Located behind the Apse of the main church
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Ceiling of the church from the altar showing the dome
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Iconostasis detail depicting the Theotokos.
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Thirteen domes representing the twelve Disciples and Christ Pantocrator