Kopernick

The road in is gravel, dry ‘n’ dusty. Same as all in the area. And all are similarly devoid of traffic. Stop, roll down the window and you’ll be greeted with silence. The location here is rural, well away from any town. Look all around…nothing to see but fields and pastures in every direction, occasional patches of trees here and there, and perhaps off in the distance, buildings that must be a farm. Hard to tell though the shimmering haze of mid-day. It’s feels remote…might as well be on the moon.

But what’s that over there? It’s a church…a big one too…looking almost out of place given its size. Did they have that many in the congregation, out here in the sticks? Stupid question…they must have…or at least in the old days they did. This building begs a closer look and with that a cloud of dust marks our arrival at Kopernick Church, officially Ascension of Jesus Christ Ukrainian Catholic Church, Kopernick Parish; alternate spelling Koppernick or Kopernik; or Kopernik (Nowy Sokal) Ascension Parish. Now there’s a mouthful!

Kopernick: a photogenic Ukrainian Catholic Church found on a lonely Alberta backroad. Researched, Written & Photographed by Chris Doering and Connie Biggart. (BIGDoer/Synd)

The location is Beaver County Alberta (SE of Edmonton), flat and mostly featureless, the endless plains heading off to the horizon with every point of the compass. Big skies out this way. Big everything here…except maybe when it comes population. It’s pretty sparse today…but was more in the old days.

The area was opened to settlement in the early years of twentieth century. Many of the early arrivals immigrated from the Ukraine. An church was needed, so soon after land was set aside and one built, the first of four “Orthodox” churches to be known as Kopernick on this property – read on!

Kopernick Church

Kopernick Church, along some forgotten Alberta backroad.

The earliest one was constructed of logs circa 1904 and burned down soon after completion. A second was built right after and was in use until about 1914. The congregation simply outgrew it. The replacement, the third, many times in size, lasted until 1951 when unfortunately it too went up in flames, right around the holiday season. No explanation as to the cause that we could find. A search for photos of any came up empty. Too bad, we’d have loved to see what they looked like. Readers, we’re looking to you!

Scroll down for more photos and to comment.

In the early 1930s, a Parish Hall was built. Containing a stage, seating area, kitchen and such, it could be used for all manner of social gatherings and events. Often the church basement was used for functions such as this…it’s not cleat they went with separate building here – it’s the first we’ve seen like this, by the way. Like the church, it’s festooned with “onion” domes, three in this case.

The current church dates from circa 1954-ish (some reports disagree a bit and say later) and is only slightly bigger than it predecessor. In the time between the old one going up in smoke and the new one being finished, it’s suggested the hall was used for services temporarily. By the way, the old cross from the burned church stands atop a monument out back. Warped and bent in the fire it was straightened before being put on display. One can looks at it today and see it suffered from the heat however – ripples in the metal suggest a smoking hot fire.

The walls of Kopernick Church are of brick, a costly material when compared to the traditional wood construction often used. The exterior is parged, hiding what’s underneath. That they went with this building material seems to speak of them wanting a more fire resistant structure – still, the roof and domes are of wood, so make of that what you will.

The church has five domes, one large and in the centre, flanked by four smaller examples perched atop towers, one per corner. The five-dome configuration represents Jesus along with the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The five dome configuration is common in the Orthodox world, but there can also be less, one or three, and sometimes, rarely more. By the way, the three dome configuration, which the hall has recall, represents the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). A single dome would be in reference to Jesus.

While these churches often have a cruciform shape, so when viewed from above, that of a cross, this one is rectangular, which is said to be a representation of a ship. Noah’s Ark I’m told. There are no longer regular services at Kopernick (no info when they stopped), but I guess it’s still used from time to time for funerals and stuff.

Ukrainian Catholic Churches are not unique in their architecture. Other religious institutions from Eastern Europe often have places of worship similar in look and collectively they’re listed as being Eastern Orthodox, or simply Orthodox, Russo-Greek, or Byzantine in style. There’s a huge number of them in various counties east of Edmonton. This one is well away from the biggest concentration however.

There’s a bell tower behind the church. The domes preclude the use of a steeple for housing bells so a separate building is generally used. These are typically placed to the west of the church.

There’s a large cemetery here, officially Holy Ascension Greek Catholic Cemetery (also: Ascension of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery), or to most people, simply Kopernick Cemetery (shown as Koppernick on the gate) – run on sentence there dude! It’s a good size, some ninety plus interments here, going back to the very early days of the Parish, the most recent from not all that long ago. There’s plenty of room for more “tenants”. The cemetery is partly surrounded by trees and is one nice peaceful place to spend the rest of eternity.

Grave makers can be quite elaborate and most are written in Cyrillic. As always, we wonder about these people…who were they, what’s their story, why did some pass on so young, and this and that? The mind races. But limited time means we can only ponder it for a moment or two.

Kopernick Church Parish Hall

And the Parish Hall.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (formerly Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada) dates back to the 1910s when it broke away from the larger Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church worldwide organization. Today, they have some eighty five thousand members, many in western Canada concentrated either east of Edmonton or in parts of Northern Saskatchewan.

Joining us this adventure was film photographer Rob Pohl. We collaborate all the time. Far too many photographers who do what we do are…full disclosure here…overly serious, self absorbed and zero fun, but not so here. Our styles are totally different, but it works. So we shoot together a lot.

Not a single vehicle broke the silence the hour or two we spent exploring Kopernick. Not one. We had the place to ourselves as though the last people on the planet. Love the feeling of being alone.

More photogenic churches…
St Nicholas. Another Domed Church.
Zion Lutheran Church. Old and abandoned.
St Paul’s Anglican. Calgary’s Oldest.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: June, 2017.
Location: Beaver County, AB.
Article references (and thanks): Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. Findagrave.com.
If you visit Kopernick Church grounds please be respectful.

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Kopernick Church Beaver County

The Parish was established in the early 1900s.

Parish Hall Kopernick Church

The hall dates from the 1930s, the current church, the 1950s.

Kopernick Ukrainian Church

Trees and brush surround the back of the property.

Parish Hall Kopernick

Skies had personality this day adding a nice dramatic touch to the photos.

Kopernick Parish Hall

The buildings are still used from time to time.

Alberta Kopernick Church

The number of domes has a significance – read the post.

Kopernick Church Beaver County

A fine structure it is.

Ascension of Jesus Christ Ukrainian Catholic Church

Officially: Ascension of Jesus Christ Ukrainian Catholic Church, Kopernick Parish.

Ukrainian Church Kopernick

Cross was salvaged from an earlier church here which burned down.

Kopernick Church Bell Tower

The bell tower interior.

Koppernick Ukrainian Church

Looking back…

Bell Tower Kopernick Church

Bell tower – note the spare domes.

Koppernick Cemetery

Alternate spelling at the “Koppernick” Cemetery.

Kopernick Cemetery

The mind races…these people…what’s their story?

Kopernick Church Cemetery

There’s a good number buried here.

Kopernick Ukrainian Cemetery

Many display old country Cyrillic wording.

Kopernick Church Alberta Cemetery

A peaceful place to spend the rest of time.

Cemetery at Kopernick Church

Most headstones were stone or cement…this one’s of wood.

Kopernick Church Outhouses

The church peeks out.

Photographer Rob Pohl

In the distance, your author and view-camera photographer Rob Pohl.

36 responses

  1. Lynn Carter says:

    Visited this site in early fall of 2020. It’s a magnificent structure. The grounds are nicely maintained.

  2. Ron says:

    Thanks for the story and the photos. My great grandparents (paternal) homesteaded in the Kopernik area in 1904 and you can see this grand church from what was the SW corner of their original homestead. They were Polish and from Galicia and active in the nearby Roman Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist, mentioned by one of your readers.

    • You are most welcome. Amazing memories! They were real close to Kopernick. Was in Galicia last summer and was blown away by the beauty of it and the friendly folks.

  3. Lori says:

    My Great Grandparents who came from the Ukraine were married in this church Thank you so very much for the photos I can actually see the church they were married in

    • That’s an amazing connection! And what a great place to be married! So glad you enjoyed our little tour. It for people like you we do it.

  4. Bernie says:

    Nice to see this old church again as I grew up in the area, not from from there. My great grandparents are buried there. Another beautiful church about 5 miles west called St. John the Baptist “Polska”. The church was restored about 5 years ago and is now considered an historical building. Another place that may interest you.

    • Very cool! We knew of St John when we were in the area but lacked the time to visit it (there’s always a shortage of time). We hope to return to the area at some point and will check it out then. Thanks for the tip!

  5. Darrell Faryna says:

    Hi Chris. What a great surprise I had seeing this article on my Facebook feed. My family and this church date back to 1903 – 1904. If you would like a more precise history and some early pictures feel free to contact me and I’d be happy to provide you with the data if you’re interested. It’s a great Alberta story. Hope to hear from you!

  6. Kim says:

    Hey – cool photos! I visited this church once last year, and went to the annual grave blessing this year for the first time. I’m doing genealogy and the mysterious side of the family is from this area and are buried in the cemetery. Thanks for the great pictures! If you search for “Kopernick Church” in facebook, there’s a group that will have the happenings if you’re interested.

    • Thanks for the love! What a cool project! Love a good family mystery. We’ll check out that FB page. And maybe one day we’ll come up again. Love that church. Love that area!

  7. Lorraine McNeely says:

    My grandma’s birth certificate states she was born in Kopernick in 1904. Her parents are both buried in the cemetery.

  8. Through J's Lens says:

    Awesome shots!

  9. Brenda Shyba says:

    Been to a few weddings there.

  10. Marcy Remington says:

    So beautiful!

  11. Sylvia Safranka Hoffman says:

    A lovely quiet place to spend a few hours. Mom and I go there with the kids sometimes.

  12. Jeannie Parker says:

    Wow!!

  13. Robin Long says:

    Very cool!!!

  14. David Forbes says:

    Nice article with some very beautiful photos. This is the type of place I would love to shoot some day.

  15. Jenn says:

    Stunning photos!! Love the b/w.

  16. Beautiful. .I might like that hall more than the church!

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