History of St. John the Baptist, Dixonville, Pa

Fr. Zaryk was one of St. John The Baptist's Pastors as noted and highlighted at the bottom of this story.


A Brief History of

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Dixonville, PA

Around the year 1900, people from the Ukraine began to emigrate to the United States to find for themselves a better way of life. This brought Ukrainian people to the Dixonville area, where they worked in the coal mines. Our people having no Ukrainian Orthodox Church, prayed in churches of other religious denominations. They yearned for their own Ukrainian Orthodox Church and got together in 1915 to make this a reality. Among those who got together for the first meeting were: John Hodak, George Lazeration, Frank Katz, Mike Betsa, Metro Dravecky, Harry Patsolic, Alex Berezansky, Nicholas Oterson, Frank Sebastian, John Dobish, George Kovac, Harry Wasilko, John Machyshyn, Andy Kostryk, John Kubay, Michael Hoptay, John Matishyn, Mike Shemo, Wasyl Lipnicki, Matthew Wasilovich, John Balishyn, Nick Sevula, Steve Sagal, Wasco Sagal, Wasco Wida, Andy Chesko, and others. These people formed the first body of our church, and elected the following Board of Directors: Alex Berezansky, President; George Lazeration, Treasurer; John Machyshyn, Secretary; John Hodak and Nick Sevula, Collectors.

The home, where Steve and Ann Smilo now reside, was purchased by the parishioners and used for four years. Land was purchased from Ben Shank in 1918 where a church was built. Later that year the Temple was completed and services were held in it. In 1925 the church was finally consecrated, taking the Patron Saint's name of St. John the Baptist.

Also in 1918 our church, together with the Orthodox Church of Clymer purchased land from O.V. Barbor to be used as a cemetery. Later, the Clymer parishioners purchased land for their own cemetery in Clymer, and therefore, sold their interest in the cemetery to our church. This original cemetery continues to be used by St. John's Church.

During the early years after the church was founded the only priests who were able to serve the parish were from the Greek Catholic Church. Finally in 1933 the priest from Bakerton, Father Prokopchuk, agreed to come to Dixonville for services. It was during this time that Bishop Bodan made his first canonical visit to the parish. From that time on our church has always been under the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America.

In 1942 a platform was constructed on land the church owned near the site of the cemetery. This platform was used for weddings and church picnics. Ten years later in 1952, the first church hall and picnic grounds were constructed. In the intervening time a parish house was purchased on land adjacent to the church in 1950. At this time, Father Olgin was the pastor.

The people of our Church, being the hard workers they are, seemed to continually find some type of renovation project to help improve the church. First stained glass windows were installed in 1951. Additional renovations to the church were completed in 1959 and 1965. In 1965 an extension was added to our present hall, and a modernized kitchen was installed. An additional 58 acres of ground adjacent to our present picnic grounds was purchased 1972 from Frank Oakes. On this land a large parking lot was made and several gas wells were drilled which provide gas for the hall. Renovations to interior of the church were again made in 1973. Also a new altar, table of oblation, tabernacle, pews, carpeting, walls, ceiling, etc. were added. In 1974 and 1975 the famed artist, Boris Makarenko of Yonkers, NY, installed a new iconostas. He also painted the church interior with new icons and Ukrainian Orthodox designs.

Occasionally work projects were created even though they were not in the long-range plans. Such was the case in 1976 when a fire started by an arsonist severely damaged the hall. Knowing its value to the church and the community, the parishioners set out to rebuild it only to see it burn again in April of 1984. Again proving that they were hard workers who could rise above their problems, the hall was rebuilt and back in use during the summer of 1985.

The ladies of the church undertook the project of raising money to erect a new cross at the church cemetery. Our first services there were after Easter in the Spring of 1987.

Just prior to this time, the parishioners began to contemplate whether it would be financially feasible to repair the exterior of the church which was becoming unsound structurally and not in the most desirable of locations. Other factors which were weighing on their minds was the large flight of stairs up to the church and the inability of the elderly to attend church because of this factor. In the Spring of 1986 the parishioners voted to investigate the possibility of building a new church. Committees were formed to locate a site for the church as well as develop plans architecturally. On August 7, 1986, on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. George Betsa, ground for the new structure was broken. Twelve days later excavation actually began. After many months of hard work and determination by those who labored, especially Mike Julock and George Betsa, major construction was completed. On Sunday, August 16, 1987, the "old church" filled with many memories heard its final liturgy. At its conclusion a procession was formed to our newly constructed edifice which henceforth would be known as St. John's Church. As much of the former church that could be used in the new church was transferred to make a blended union of old and new. Included in the move were the altar, table of oblation, crosses, tabernacle, chandeliers, pews, banners, stained glass windows icons iconostas. In the year that followed exterior landscaping and some black topping were completed, as well as, finishing touches done to the social rooms.

On May 15, 1988, a milestone was crossed when the consecration of the new Temple took place. Historically it was an accomplishment to have the dedication as part of the Millennium of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Officiating at the consecration were His Grace, Archbishop Constantine, and His Grace Bishop Antony, along with Very Rev. Fr. George Hnatko, pastor, and other clergy from the Western Pennsylvania Deanery.

In the months that followed more projects were undertaken. Some were related to post construction of the new church. One was having the entire roadway around the church being paved in September of 1988. Another was a labor of love for Mr. Julock and Mr. Betsa as they began to assemble an onion dome made out of stainless steel. Finally, in August of 1989, with many parishioners, townspeople, and media present, the dome was finally raised high in the air and placed atop the church for all to see.

At the same time the dome was being constructed, the parishioners were planning for another celebration honoring Fr. George on the 25th year of his being their pastor. On July 16, 1989, at services officiated by His Grace Bishop Antony, Fr. George was not only honored but more importantly elevated to Mitered Archpriest.

During 1990 Boris Makarenko returned to the church to paint more icons on the walls along with Ukrainian Orthodox designs. Upon completion of his work, the blessing of the new iconography took place. On July 21, 1991, at services officiated by His Grace, Archbishop Constantine, their Temple was again blessed on the occasion which marked to 76th Anniversary of the existence of St. John's Church.

In the fall of 1990 plans were made to redo the ceiling of the church hall. In November of that year the project was completed.

The last project undertaken to date was done in the fall of 1992 with the erection of a new porch and permanent sidewalks leading into the church.

Father George and the parishioners of St. John's Church are proud of their achievements and pray that God will continue to bestow His blessing upon them and enable them to continue to serve Him in such away that St. John's Church will continue to flourish for many, many years.

The following served as priests in St. John's Church after it became affiliated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America:

Pastors of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Dixonville, PA

Rev. Stephen Prokopchuk 9 Years Rev. Lonhin Shemetylo 6 Years
Rev. Basil Fedyshyn 2 Years Rev. Alex Zaryk 2 Years
Rev. Basil Butchko 2 Years Rev. Wm. Czekaluk 2 Months
Rev. Theodore Forosty 6 Years Rev. Dmytro Seneta ?
Rev. John Danylevych 1 Year Rev. Atymon Wujkiw ?
Rev. Damian Olgin 2 Years Very Rev. George Hnatko 38 Years to date