(artwork  by K.Stevenson / comissioned by  Don Stewart)

Bishop Isidore blessing the land on Maple Grove Dr. before the construction of the new church (1965).

Beginnings

St. Joseph’s was founded in 1956. The first Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Gregory Shushkewych on Ukrainian Christmas (January 7, 1956) at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in downtown Oakville. In the early years this small mission parish was served by the Redemptorist Fathers from their seminary in Meadowvale. In 1964 a 1-acre parcel of land was purchased on Maple Grove Dr.

Pastors of St. Joseph’s Parish

1956 - 1960      Redemptorist Fathers: Rev. Stephen Bachtalowsky, Rev. Joseph Bala,

                         Rev. Michael Bzdel, Rev. Roman Chomiak, Rev. Michael Ferens,

                         Rev. Michael Hrynchyshyn, Rev. Stephen Shawel, Rev. Stephen Shyry,

                         Rev. Gregory Shyshkowych, Rev. Nicholas Yakymyshyn, Rev. Joseph

                         Korba, Rev.Michael Baraniecki,  Rev. Bosko, Rev. Nicholas

                         Kopiakiwsky

1960 - 1965     Rev. Paul Dzulynsky

1963 - 1964     Basilian Fathers: Rev. Patrick Byce, Rev. Myron Chimy. Rev. Maksim

                        Markiw, Rev. Cornelius Pasichny, Rev. Eugene Richlark, Rev. Volodymyr

                        Shewchuk, Rev. Siermaczeski. Rev. Victor Soroka, Rev. Leon Yakubow.

1965 - 1968     Rev. Morris Bosey

1968                Rev. Lutoslav Kussey

1969 - 1972     Rev. Stephen Kuzma, Rev. Basil Filevich

1973                Rev. Volodymyr Sharanewych,

1974                Rev. Vasyl Humeniuk

1974 - 1994     Rt. Rev. George Kowalsky, Rev. Joseph Krupp

1994 - 1995     Rev. Ted Harasymchuk

1995 - 2000     Rev. Roman Michalko

2000                Rev. Victor Nazartchyk

2001                Rev. Anton Semchouk

2001 (to date)  Rev. Michael Loza

Parish Council Chairs:

1956 - 1957     Jacob Boyko

1957 - 1962     Ewstachi Hodlyk

1963                 Petro Babiak

1964 - 1966     Ewstachi Hodlyk

1967 - 1968     John Kaziuk

1969 - 1970     Andrij Boruschak

1971                 Ivan Boyko

1972                 Roman Stefaniw

1973                 Ivan Boyko

1974 - 1976     Ewstachi Hodlyk

1977 - 1978     Petro Babiak

1979 - 1980     Roman Stefaniw

1980 - 1981     Ivan Boyko

1981 - 1995     Andrij Boruschak

1995 - 2004     Steve Dacko

2004 - 2006     Bohdan Wynnyckyj

2006 - 2007     Bohdan Baluta

2007 - 2008     Bohdan Klufas

Pioneer Families (1956):

John & Olga Andrusyshyn, Dan & Zeta Babiak, Petro & Wilma Babiak, Andrij & Erna

Boruschak, Jacob & Anne Boyko, Anthony & Anne Cheslock, Gregory & Julia Dniprenko,

John Gural, Ivan & Julia Harisymovich, Ewstachi & Marta Hodlyk, Josafat Hrabowyj,

Stefan & Eugenia Hrynchuk, John & Feliksa Kaziuk, Joseph & Maria Kira, Wasyl & Sonia

Lesiuchok, Mychajlo & Anna Loha, Walter & Anne Lubinsky, Alex & Mrs. Shypka,

Mychajlo & Olga Solilo, Dr. Norman & Anne Spikula, Stan Tokarchuk, Wasyl Wynnyczuk.

RECENT YEARS:

In recent years St. Joseph’s parish has undergone a significant revival. Although our current location on Maple Grove Dr. has served us well since 1966, it is no longer suitable for our growing community. We recognize the need to plan for future generations. Since the late 1990s Parish Council has investigated opportunities for a larger parcel of land in the northeast sector of Oakville. In 2008 a 4-acre parcel of land was purchased (Trafalgar Rd & River Oaks Blvd) and plans are currently underway to build a new church in 2010.

________________________________________________________________________

Note: Should anyone have any additions or corrections to the information provided in this section kindly notify Fr. Michael.