The biblical quotation, "Man does not live by bread alone, but that man live by everything that proceeds from the Lord" inspired the people to flock to the existing Ukrainian Orthodox church, in Canora, built in about 1914. However, this church was under non – Ukrainian jurisdiction. In a very short time, the Ukrainian Orthodox members realized that the service this particular church rendered, did not satisfy their needs and expectations, so they left this church. Finding themselves without their own House of Prayer, they gratefully accepted the generous offer by St. George Anglican Church congregation to use the church for Ukrainian Orthodox services until they built their own premises.

Initial steps for constructing their own building were taken in 1919. Funds and earnings were low but the desire to be self-sufficient incited the members to spontaneous action. The already existing Cultural Club swung into action, staging concerts, dramas and other high quality entertainment, as a means of raising necessary funds.

In 1924, during the Sobor (full Church meeting of laity and clergy from across Canada) in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada approached visiting Bishop Ioann Teodorowich of the U.S.A Orthodox church, with a plea that he extend his spiritual services to the sister-churches in Canada. His gracious acceptance intensified activity in Canora.

Under the very able guidance of the resident priest, Rev. Father P. Melnychuk, Canora’s congregation held its "first ever" Bishop’s visitation in the fall of 1924.

Having taken a resolute step forward, there was no backtracking. In 1926, the congregation decided to build a church of their own. Two years later, in 1928, the work wheels were set in motion. With the services of Professor Temish Pavlychenko (the architect and cupola designer) and Michael Derniwski (the cupola craftsman), the construction of both the church and manse, flowed quickly and smoothly. On December 2, 1928, Rev. Father D. Seneta and Rev. Father D. Kirstiuk performed the blessing and official opening of the church. The culmination point of excitement was experienced when Professor Pavlychenko and Mr. Peter Koziar, church executive chairman, affixed the blessed central copula with its cross into its moorings. The members were very happy. They acquired two new buildings – and a sizable debt.

In 1944 the magnificent, artistically – hand carved iconostas (altar screen of icons whose beauty today continues to inspire spiritual awe) created by Mr. Sam Sloan, and with icons, tastefully written by Mr. P. Zabolotny, was installed. By 1948, the congregation was debt free.

In 1949, Rev. Father M. Bodnarchuk was assigned to serve the Canora parish. He was deeply involved in the cultural aspect and advancement of the young and old. Improvements were made in the church, manse and hall.

The membership grew. In 1953 the congregation seriously considered the need for a new, large church. In 1957 Rev. Father W. Sluzar became the parish priest in Canora. Together, with cooperation of the congregation, the cultural work initiated by his predecessor – Sunday school, Ukrainian school, church camp, CYMK tutelage, Senior Citizens’ Home, was further developed and of course, the pressing need for a new church was given very serious study and consideration.

A chronological step-by-step work procedure was established. In 1963, the new church was completed. It was consecrated on September 29, 1963, by Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko) of Blessed Memory, with co-celebrant assistance by Reverend Fathers W. Sluzar, Hrebeniuk, Trufyn, Boychuk and Abbot J. Skakalsky.

The total cost of the building was $142,000, a great deal of money at that time. The new church structure stands as a witness to our valiant and daring predecessors who through sheer determination and faith, built a strong, united Christian congregation. They made it possible to complete the vast undertaking, attesting their faith in God, mankind and the future.

Through the generosity of its members the church was well equipped with necessary church items. The $68,500.00 iconstas (altar screen of icons), the handiwork of John Denysenko, of the U.S.A., was blessed on September 23, 1979, by Metropolitan Wasyly (Fedak), assisted by Rev. Father W. Boychuk, Rev. Father W. Sluzar and sub-Deacons Andrew Serray and Taras Krochak. The Paul and Olena Yaholnitsky and Dmytro and Maria Skwarchuk families donated the large crystal chandelier, which hangs near the front of the church. The two smaller chandeliers adorning the altar area were a gift of the Dr. Michael and Alice Rostotski family in memory of Dr. Rostotski’s parents. The Stanley and Stefanie Gorchynski family donated the beautiful blessed shroud from Greece. Three priceless complete sets of hand embroidered altar and other cloths were the combined efforts of several dedicated members of the church. Various types and sizes of crosses and candlestick holders, processional banners, priest’s vestments, a display case which houses valuable books – old and new, were all gifts to the church by dedicated members.

To commemorate the millennium of the baptism of Ukraine into the Ukrainian Orthodox faith in 1988, a large prominent and attractive cross was planted in the middle of the Ukrainian Orthodox section of the cemetery, designed and made by Mr. John Yasentiuk, of Minetonas, Manitoba. This cross was blessed by Metropolitan Wasyly and assisted by Rev. Father M. Derewianka, on the occasion of the Metropolitan’s Visitation, June 21, 1987. Other projects included reconstruction of the church basement to accommodate various church activities.

In 1999, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity added to the church an outside church lift/elevator to enhance accessibility to the church services. In this manner, many visitors and members including the residents of Gateway Lodge are able to attend the Divine Liturgy.

In the year 2000 during Millennium celebrations in the town of Canora, the Heritage Church received restoration. (Please refer to the article on the Heritage Church).

The parish has lay organizations that contribute to the church and community. These organizations include the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (Maria Markovych Branch), the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League, and the Order of St. Andrew’s. In addition, the parish has a very active choir, which participates in church services and in various community concerts during Christmas and at Taras Shevchenko concerts, held in March of each year, the birth month of Ukraine’s greatest poet, Taras Shevchenko.

The Canora Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity continues to be active and vital, attracting visitors from all over North America and from around the world.

Source of history: Mrs. Katherine Labiuk