St. Michael’s Church – Goodeve, Saskatchewan
A History of Faith, Loss, and Community Resilience
Early Beginnings: The First Church (1906)
The history of St. Michael’s Church in Goodeve begins in 1906, when the parish’s first small rectangular wooden church was built one mile south of the village. Though modest, it served as the spiritual home for early Ukrainian Catholic settlers.
Today, this original site contains a monumental plaque and the parish cemetery, preserving the memory of the community’s earliest families.
The Second St. Michael’s Church (1934)
As the parish grew, a larger church was needed. In 1934, the second St. Michael’s Church was constructed on a five-acre parcel purchased from the Village of Goodeve in 1910 for $150.
This church was notable for its traditional Ukrainian Catholic design:
- Elongated cross floor plan
- Wooden frame construction
- Asphalt-shingled roof
- Large central dome with an open cupola
- Two front towers topped with white sheet-metal cupolas
- South-facing main entrance
- Elevated north altar with two adjoining sacristies
- Wooden pews, electricity, and central gas heating
In 1938, a commemorative cross was placed on a rock mound near the church to mark the 950th anniversary of Christianity in Ukraine.
A parish hall was also located nearby to support community gatherings and events.
A Devastating Loss: The 1986 Fire
On January 22, 1986, tragedy struck when the second St. Michael’s Church burned to the ground. The fire destroyed the structure along with precious records, artifacts, and sacred objects held by the parish. The loss was deeply felt throughout the entire community.
Rebuilding St. Michael’s Church
Despite the devastation, parishioners united with determination to rebuild. A new church was constructed on the original site at a cost of approximately $150,000 plus contents.
The modern St. Michael’s Church stands today as a testament to the strength and resilience.
