This is the earliest settlement of Ukrainian homesteaders. The people began to settle in 1904. The Kulyk, Styba, and two Yakimishyn families were among the first settlers.

In 1906-07, Bill Yakimishyn operated the first threshing machine, but the steamer was bought by the Yakimishyns, Stybas and Kulyks. The steamer was called "American Able". Mr. Yakimishyn also bought the first binder (McCormick) which was pulled by horses. The sheaves would be tied by hand.

Nick Kapey operated a lime kiln and Kelly Cockerill 's sawmill serviced the lumber needs.

To get their supplies, the pioneers usually walked to Roblin. A Ukrainian Co-op Store was opened in Roblin in 1918 by Mr. Michalik, a school teacher. This store operated only about six months.

In 1908 the St. Michael's Catholic Church was built on ten acres of land which was donated in 1905 by the government for cemetery purposes. The church leaders were Mr. Yakimishyn, Mr. Kulyk, and Mr. Slusar. They were aided by the volunteer help of other parishioners. Before the church was built, divine liturgies were celebrated in the Yakimishyn home. Roman Slusar was the cantor (diak) of the church assisted by those that remembered the responses from the Ukraine. Divine Liturgy was celebrated two or three times a year. The present church was constructed in 1936.

If a priest could not attend a funeral, the dead would be buried with a cantor singing psalms and a memorial ceremony. Baptisms were performed when a Ukrainian priest arrived. Sometimes this would take months. When he arrived many children would be baptized at once. An expedient place to get married was St. Phillips, twelve miles north of Kamsack(,SK) because of the resident priest there.

One of several parishes that were served by Pastors of the Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Mission in Roblin, MB.

(Source: Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984, pp 213f, p 222 [1984; Adapted])

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Established in 1905.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society)

This Ukrainian Catholic church was built in 1940, replacing an earlier structure from 1908. Construction work was done by Mike Sawchuk, a carpenter trained and influenced by Rev. Philip Ruh.

(Source: Manitoba Historical Society [Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD12-33-27-28-W1

In the Municipality of Roblin

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As noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 2000 is told in the volume "Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984

", especially on the cited pages, and in the later related work entitled "Roblin and Rural Districts Family Histories - Volumes I, II, and III".

Free digital versions of the former, Volume II of the latter and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #1005), transcribed by a member or members in 1992. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

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Additionally, the volume "Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Winnipeg Archeparchy", also freely available online via the U of Manitoba Digital Archives, provides information about the parish, especially starting on page 106. That one book is from Volume IV in the set entitled "History of Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Canada".

Also of note, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Manitoba Branch) centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Ukrainian descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.