Nestled among the pines in the picturesque Northern Catskills Mountains of New York State, Saint John The Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church serves as both a spiritual and cultural hub for individuals of Ukrainian heritage in the United States. Situated on a scenic hilltop between the Hunter ski area and the town of Lexington. The church provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore traditional Ukrainian church architecture.
The Church (the Tserkva), situated atop this hill in the Northern Catskills is reminiscent of typical Ukrainian village churches of the Carpathian Mountains. Inspired by an unbroken religious spirit and strong cultural ties, the local Ukrainian immigrant community financed and built this church in 1961 - 1962. Scores of hewn Canadian cedar logs were stacked and joined to ultimately erect the main timber structure void of nails or metal fasteners. The 65-foot high, three-tiered construction is finished with hand split cedar shakes and topped with 5 metal domes. Today the church stands as a reminder of the resilience and ingenuity of the Ukrainian people.
The Interior of the Church reflects the Byzantine style and elements of Eastern Christian tradition. An ornate, hand-carved wooden screen adorned with icons (the Iconostas) separates the sanctuary from the rest of the church interior. Additional icons embellish the walls above the iconostas and grace the walls of the sanctuary behind the altar. A large, carved wooden chandelier is suspended from the center of the ceiling, depicting a three dimensional cross emerging from a central sphere. Except for a few side benches for the elderly and infirm, the interior of the church is open and unobstructed since the congregation stands during services.
The Bell Tower (the Dzvinytsya) was completed in 1966 and accommodates two bells from Italy and Holland. The bells are traditionally rung before and during specific parts of the Divine Liturgy, funerals and other religious services. The square structure is also constructed of Canadian cedar and topped by an eight-sided pyramidal roof covered in hand split cedar shingles to visually unify the structure with the church.
The Parish Center (the Grazhda) was officially opened in 1973, complementing the architectural style of the existing structures. The center was created to preserve and celebrate Ukrainian culture. The center is most active during the summer months when cultural and folk art courses are offered. During summer weekends, visitors can visit the art gallery, browse the gift shop, attend Saturday evening concerts and purchase traditional Ukrainian foods during the Sunday buffet. During the colder months, part of the building is converted to a modest Chapel to accommodate services while the Church is closed for winter.
The Parsonage (the Khyzha) was completed in 1984, also complementing the architectural style of the other structures. The building serves as the private residence of the parish priest and accommodates visiting clergy.
Father Ivan was born in Szprotawa, Poland, on September 13, 1959. He and his family immigrated to the United States on November 17, 1963, settling in Yonkers, New York. His parents, Andrew and Teresa, along with his siblings Lydia, George, and Lesia, attended St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Father Ivan attended St. Basil Prep School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Basil College in Stamford, Connecticut. He completed his Master’s degree at Oblate College in Washington, D.C., and received his Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1997. In 2005, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Fordham University in New York City.
On May 4, 1985, he was ordained as a priest in the Stamford Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy. Over the years, he has served various parishes in New York, including Troy, Spring Valley, Syracuse, Hempstead, and Rochester. Additionally, he has ministered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island; Fall River, Massachusetts; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in Kerhonkson and Hunter, New York.
On May 1, 2010, he retired from the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps, concluding twenty-one years of service in the Reserves. Since 1988, he has served as a chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and is currently the National Chaplain for PLAST (Ukrainian Scouting).
Currently, Father Ivan serves as the pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson, New York, and Saint John The Baptist Church in Hunter, New York. He has authored several books and articles on the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
