Congregational life was initiated in the community in 1916 (although the church sign dates the founding to 1918, and another source says 1917), when a cemetery was established on six acres of land purchased from Zenovia Kozak at the site of the future church. Work on the sanctuary itself began in 1921, with parishioners donating materials and their volunteer labour.
Completed in 1924, the tripartite sanctuary with two small cupolas over the narthex and sanctuary as well as a central galvanized dome, hosted its first liturgy in June of the same year, with Rev. T. Horbey ostensibly officiating at this joyous occasion. Another memorable event in the early history of the Downing community was the 20 June 1933 visitation by Archbishop Ioan Theodorovich, who formally consecrated St. Paraskeva.
Among the dignitaries who attended episcopal service were Mr. Isidore Goresky, a member of the Alberta legislature, and Michael Luchkowich, a member of federal parliament. A large wooden bell tower was erected in the churchyard in 1948, and a roofed porch was added to the sanctuary in the early 1950s.
Play Memory Eternal Chant
GPS Co-ordinates: 54.034614, -111.984265
Affiliation: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
