Neepawa Catholic Church History


St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church

Until 1925, Catholic Services in Neepawa were held by Redemptionist priests from Brandon in the homes of D. O'Donahue and E.P. Boyle. In 1925, Father M. Cournoyer had a small white frame church moved to Neepawa from Rapid City. Even though the town now had a church there was no resident priest until 1968, after the rectory was built. Father Lucien Socinski was the first resident pastor. Eventually the little frame church was no longer sufficient for services and a building fund for a new church was initiated November 2, 1958 and construction of the new church began in 1961. Archbishop George B. Flahiff blessed the new church September 3, 1962. A number of organizations have contributed to parish life over the years; Ladies Altar Society (until 1949); St. Anne's Society (1949-73); Ladies of St. Dominic's Church (1973-77); Catholic Women's League; the mens's Holy Name Socty (terminated after establishement of the Parish Council) and the Council and Knights of Columeres. The members of the first Parish Council in October 6, 1972 were Messrs. C. Hanson, R. Betz, Dr. B. Ledding; F. Millan, S. Podruchny, K. Sauerborn, J. Suski, and Mesdomes R. Atkins, E. Dobson, L. Lehmann, A. Maes, F. Kostenchuk, Martha and Minnie Kuharski.

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church

For almost 100 years Neepawa has had Ukrain Catholic Church services. The first services were held once a month by the priests who came from the surrounding parishes of Brandon, Mountain Road, and Portage la Prairie. This montly Holy Mass was held in the local Roman Catholic Church until families like Mr. and Mrs. John Gratsky, Mr. and Mrs. Nykifor Wasyluk adn Mr. and Mrs. Bill Baziuk. For two decades the parishioners raised money through picnics, raffles, bingos, drives and dinners to build their own church in 1940. At the time of construction there was only 10 members and 50 children. However, over the next 10 years the congregation grew and a new church was needed. The donation of two lots, a raffle to raise money for lumber and the volunteer labor of the parishioners saw the construction of a new church in 1959. The interior murals and design were done by Mr. Theodore Baran of Sakatoon in 1974. A house next to the church was acquired in 1966 to serce as a rectory and a resident priest was finally obtained, Rev. V. Luchkiw. As of 1983, St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, has 105 members

St. Elizabeths

The earliest Catholic congregation in the Neepawa area was north west of town in the Mountain Road - Polonia area. The first church in Polonia was built in 1887 with the new one being completed in 1902. The church was named St. Elizabeth's in honor of a 13th century princess who cared for the poor, the sick and the outcast. Until 1903, with the arrival of Father Ernest Kistorz, the parish had no resident priest and the parishioners had to depend on intermittent visits from missionary priests. In 1980, St. Elizabeth's again became a mission and depended on priests' rotation to have a service. St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church is located in Polonia but over the years has served Catholics from the surrounding areas.

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