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In August 1941, the Ukrainian Redemptorist Fathers arrived at Roblin, in what is now the Municipality of Roblin, to establish the Redemptorist Fathers College. Later that year, a two-storey brick building was constructed at a cost of $40,000, based on a design by priest-architect Philip Ruh. Starting in January 1942, the priests provided high school classes and spiritual instruction to seven boys who had transferred from a seminary at Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In later years, students were also encouraged to participate in extramural sports, especially hockey and football, and in the college’s choir as well as Ukrainian dancing and other cultural activities. At one time, the college was the only Ukrainian Catholic minor seminary (educational facility for teenage boys wishing to become priests) and boarding school in Canada, and the only Catholic high school in Manitoba outside of Winnipeg.
Until 1951, the college operated without accreditation and, as a result, produced no high school graduates during its first nine years of operation. It was closed between 1951 and 1956 to enable a group of young, Canadian-born priests to attend the University of Manitoba to receive BA and BEd degrees, thereby becoming certified teachers. When the college reopened as St. Vladimir’s College in 1956, it hosted 22 students in grades 8, 9 and 10. Later, it focused on grades 9 to 12 and, after 1984, grades 10 to 12. Its first graduating class, in 1958-1959, had five students. From the 1960s to 1980s, its average annual enrollment was between 40 and 50 students, peaking at 65 in 1975, with 13 to 15 graduates each year. Students came mostly from Manitoba communities but a few were from other provinces and American states.
A chapel inside the original two-storey brick building hosted Ukrainian Catholic services for adherents in the Roblin area until the adjacent Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Church was constructed in 1961. In the fall of 1961, a new wing containing classrooms, laboratory, recreation room, and dormitory for 108 boys was opened officially by Premier Duff Roblin. It was attached to the original college building, which continued to be used for administrative offices, dining room, kitchen, small chapel, and staff living quarters. Around 1969, the former Hillcrest School building was moved to the site to be used as a small museum. A library was established in 1977.
A large addition on the north end of the facility, designed by Winnipeg architect Victor Deneka, was constructed between 1985 and 1986 to commemorate the millennium of Christianity in Ukraine in 1988. It contained a gymnasium, stage-theatre, new washrooms, and change rooms. Its cornerstone was blessed by Cardinal Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky on 1 June 1986 and it was opened officially on 5 April 1987. The college’s library was renovated and expanded at the same time. Other renovations included a new computer room, typing room, audio visual room, and an expanded kitchen. The project was completed at a cost of about $1.3 million.
In 1995, with dwindling numbers of priests, operation of the facility was taken over by the Archeparchy of Winnipeg and teaching duties were assumed by lay teachers rather than priests. In its final years of operation, the college suffered from dwindling student enrollment. After the last class of seven students graduated in June 2002, the college closed and its contents were sold at auction in October 2004. The buildings, except for the church, were purchased in 2007 by an entrepreneur from Vancouver who planned to use them for university-entrance instruction to students from South Korea, in collaboration with the Mountain View School Division. He put the property up for sale in 2013 and auctioned off its equipment in 2015 but was still in possession at the time of a 2016 site visit.
Repairs to the facility's roof, to prevent water infiltration and further deterioration, were reportedly being made in mid-2021.
Period
Director
1942
Rev. Volodymyr Korba
1942-1946
Rev. Stephen J. Shawel
1946-1950
Rev. Peter Laptuta
1950-1951
Rev. Gregory Novak
1956-1967
Rev. Nestor Hodowany
1967-1968
Rev. George Perejda
1968-1969
Rev. Jaroslaw Siwanyk
1969-1981
Rev. Michael Wiwchar
1981-1992
Rev. Peter Stasiuk
1992-1994
Rev. Bryan J. Bayda
1994-1995
Peter Pidskalny (1945-2017)
1995-1997
Lorne Woychyshyn
1997-1998
Rev. Morris Kowalchuk
1998-2002
?
Period
Principal
1956-1968
Rev. G. Perejda
1968-1972
Rev. Boris Kyba
1972-1978
Rev. Methodius Kushko
1978-1981
Peter Pidskalny (1945-2017)
1981-1983
Rev. Emil Boychuk
1983-1994
Peter Pidskalny (1945-2017)
1994-1997
Samuel N. Chernoff
1997-1998
Robert Wuschenny
1998-1999
Alexander Cap
1999-2001
Lloyd McKinney
2001-2002
Alexander Cap
School Years
Teachers
1942-1951
Father Stephen Bachtalowsky, Father Demetrius Byblow, Father Roman Chomiak, Father Joseph Denischuk, Father Joseph Fornalchuk, Father James Healy, Father Nicholas Kopiakiwsky, Father Joseph Korba, Father Volodymyr Korba, Father John Laptuta, Father Peter Laptuta, Father Paul Maluga, Father Gregory Novak, Father Stephen Olynyk, Father George Perejda, Father Steven S. Shavel, Father Stephen J. Shawel, Father Vallierea
1956-1973
?
1973-1974
Rev. Methodius Kushko (biology, science, Ukrainian, history), Rev. Donald Lukie (English, Ukrainian, religion), Myron Mason (Ukrainian dancing choreographer), Rev. John Pazak (English, religion, history), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (Ukrainian, French), Peter T. Szydlowski (math, physics), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (chemistry), Rev. Michael Wiwchar (Ukrainian, religion, social studies)
1974-1975
Rev. Methodius Kushko (biology, Ukrainian, history), Rev. John Pazak (English, history), Rev. John Sianchuk (music, science, religion), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (Ukrainian, French, religion), Peter T. Szydlowski (math, physics, Ukrainian, Ukrainian dance choreographer), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (chemistry), Rev. Michael Wiwchar
1975-1976
Rev. Emil Boychuk (Ukrainian, French, religion), Rev. Methodius Kushko (Ukrainian, history, biology), Rev. John Pazak (English, American history), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Rev. John Sianchuk (religion, Ukrainian, chemistry, music), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (chemistry, physics), Rev. Michael Wiwchar (social studies, geography, physics, Ukrainian, Latin)
1976-1977
Rev. Emil Boychuk (Ukrainian, French, religion), Rev. Methodius Kushko (Ukrainian, history, biology), Rev. John Pazak (English), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Rev. John Sianchuk (religion, Ukrainian, chemistry, music), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (chemistry, physics), Rev. Michael Wiwchar (social studies, geography, physics, Ukrainian, religion)
1977-1978
Rev. Methodius Kushko (Ukrainian, history, biology), Rev. John Pazak (English), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Rev. John Sianchuk (religion, Ukrainian, chemistry, music), Father Eugene Verhulst (French), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (chemistry, physics)
1978-1979
Rev. Emil Boychuk (Ukrainian, French, guidance), Rev. Vincent Fedorowich (religion, science, chemistry), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Rev. John Sianchuk (religion, Ukrainian, history, music, physics), Rev. Frank Szadiak (religion, Ukrainian, history), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (physics), Rev. Michael Wiwchar (social studies, geography, biology, Ukrainian, religion, French)
1979-1980
Rev. Emil Boychuk (Ukrainian, French, guidance), Joseph Dudych (English, music, Ukrainian, Ukrainian dancing), Bohdan Krucko (geography, history, Ukrainian), Rev. Vincent Pedorowich (religion, science, chemistry, math), Rev. John Pazak (English, American history, religion), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Bro. Vincent Tomasikiewicz (physics), Rev. Michael Wiwchar (biology, Ukrainian, religion, physics)
1980-1981
Rev. Emil Boychuk (Ukrainian, French, guidance, Canadian history), Joseph Dudych (English, music, Ukrainian, choir, Ukrainian dancing), Rev. Vincent Fedorowich (religion, science, chemistry, math), Rev. John Pazak (English, religion, American history), Peter Pidskalny (Ukrainian, math, science), Rev. James Scharinger (French)
1981-1982
Rev. Emil Boychuk (French, guidance, typing, Ukrainian), Rev. Vincent Fedorowich (math), Rev. Boris Kyba (Canadian history, Ukrainian, comparative systems), Grant Lederhouse (biology, chemistry, math, physics, science), Rev. John Pazak (English), Michael Ryczak (American history, choir, geography, music, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (religion, Ukrainian)
1982-1983
Gerard Bzdel (English, Canadian history), Rev. Boris Kyba (Ukrainian, history), Grant Lederhouse (physics, science, chemistry, biology, math), Rev. John Pazak (religion, American history), Peter Pidskalny (typing, math, Ukrainian), Michael Ryczak (religion, typing, Ukrainian, geography, music), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, general business, Ukrainian)
1983-1984
Gerard Bzdel (English, Canadian history), Rev. Boris Kyba (Ukrainian, history), Grant Lederhouse (physics, chemistry, math, science, biology, computer science), Rev. John Pazak (religion), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Michael Ryczak (typing, Ukrainian, music, geography, biology), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, general business, Ukrainian)
1984-1985
Gerard Bzdel (English, Canadian history, Ukrainian dancing), Rev. Boris Kyba (Ukrainian, history), Grant Lederhouse (physics, chemistry, math, science, biology, computer science), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Michael Ryczak (typing, Ukrainian, music, geography, biology), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, general business, Ukrainian), Rev. Frank Szadiak (religion)
1985-1986
Gerard Bzdel (English, Canadian history, European history, Ukrainian dancing), Brian Cherwick (music, geography, typing, biology, Ukrainian, choir), Rev. Boris Kyba (Ukrainian, history), Grant Lederhouse (physics, chemistry, math, science, biology, computer science), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, general business, Ukrainian), Rev. Frank Szadiak (religion, Ukrainian)
1986-1987
Brian Cherwick (music, typing, geography, biology, Ukrainian, choir), Gary Kohuch (English, Canadian history, European history, Ukrainian dancing), Rev. Boris Kyba (concert tour coordinator), Grant Lederhouse (physics, chemistry, math, science, biology, computer science), David McGill (physical education), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, general business, Ukrainian), Rev. Frank Szadiak (religion, Ukrainian)
1987-1988
Rev. Bryan Bayda (religion), Brian Cherwick (student prefect), Paul Henderson (English, history, geography), Rev. Morris Kowalchuk (English, history, geography), Grant Lederhouse (physics, biology, chemistry, science, computer science), David McGill (physical education, English), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, law, Ukrainian)
1988-1989
Brian Cherwick (choir, geography, music), Grant Lederhouse (physics, biology, chemistry, science, computer science), Rev. Raymond Lukie (religion, history), David McGill (physical education, English, history), Ivan Nahachewsky (student prefect, Ukrainian), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, law, Ukrainian)
1989-1990
Brian Cherwick (choir, geography, music), Grant Lederhouse (physics, biology, chemistry, science, computer science), Rev. Raymond Lukie (religion, history), Lloyd McKinney (English, history, physical education), Debbie Nahachewsky (dance instructor), Ivan Nahachewsky (student prefect, Ukrainian), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, law, Ukrainian)
1990-1991
Rev. Bryan Bayda (religion), Patrick Curley (English, geography, history), Julien Kytasty (music, choir, instrumental, Ukrainian), Grant Lederhouse (science, computer awareness, biology, chemistry, physics), Debbie Nahachewsky (dance instructor, choreographer), Ivan Nahachewsky (student prefect, Ukrainian), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, Ukrainian, law), Robert Yeo (physical education)
1991-1992
Rev. Bryan Bayda (religion), Samuel N. Chernoff (physics, chemistry, math), Patrick Curley (English, geography, history), Stan Koroluk (computer awareness, biology, physical education, law), Julien Kytasty (music, choir, instramental, Ukrainian), Patrick Pich (student prefect, dance instructor, choreographer), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Lesia Sianchak (vocation director), Rev. Peter Stasiuk (French, Ukrainian)
1992-1993
Rev. Bryan Bayda (Ukrainian), Samuel N. Chernoff (physical science, chemistry, physics, math), Patrick Curley (English, French, history), Stan Koroluk (physical education, geography, computer awareness, biology, law), Julien Kytasty (music, Ukrainian, choir, instramental), Patrick Pich (student prefect, dance instructor, choreographer), Peter Pidskalny (math, Ukrainian), Rev. Jeffrey Stephaniuk (religion, Ukrainian)
1993-1994
Samuel N. Chernoff (science), Patrick Curley (English), Marc Giasson (athletics), Ken Matlashewsky (Ukrainian dancing), Tanya Navolska (music), Rev. Jeffrey Stephaniuk (student prefect)
1994-1995
Samuel N. Chernoff (physics, math, calculus, chemistry), Patrick Curley (English), Marc Giasson (biology, geography, physical education), Ken Matlashewski (French, living skills, computers, Ukrainian, dance instructor), Ivan Nahachewsky (religion), Tania Navolska (music theory, Ukrainian), Peter Pidskalny (math), Peter Woloschuk (student prefect)
1995-1996
Samuel N. Chernoff (science), Leon Cole (student prefect), Patrick Curley (English, history), Marc Giasson (biology, geography, physical education), Rev. Methodius Kushko (counselor, Ukrainian, law, religion), Ivan Nahachewsky (religion), Tatiana Navolska (music), Leon Piasta (dance instructor, student prefect), Peter Pidskalny (math)
1996-1997
Samuel N. Chernoff (calculus), Leon Cole (student prefect), Patrick Curley (English, history, French), Marc Giasson (biology, geography, physical education), Gerry Grosulak (student prefect), Rev. Taras Karpiuk (Ukrainian), Terry Kraychuk (religion), Jason Kasprick (science), Ivan Nahachewsky (religion, Ukrainian), Tatiana Navolska (music), Leo Piasta (dance instructor), Kirk Wilson (math, history)
1997-1998
Paul Bakan (choir, instrumental), Nancy Bentz (math, physics, science), Orysia Ehrmantraut (choir instructor, Ukrainian), Quinton Grindle (athletics, biology, social studies), Shane Ottenbreit (religion, chemistry, French, computer applications), Robert Wushchenny (English)
1998-1999
?
1999-2000
Paul Bakan (music, religion), George Iwasechko (Ukrainian, history, religion), David Lisowski (English, social studies), Lloyd McKinney (science, physical education), Hugh Newton (math)
2000-2001
Paul Bakan (music, advanced Ukrainian), Taras Veryha (English, Ukrainian), ?
2001-2002
?
The original building of St. Vladimir’s College (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
The original building of St. Vladimir’s College (July 2021)
Source: George Penner
Gymnasium and classroom annex of the former St. Vladimir’s College (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Former hockey rink, built in 1974, behind the St. Vladimir’s College (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
The former Hillcrest School building behind the St. Vladimir’s College, adjacent to the hockey rink, used as a small museum (June 2016)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Location (lat/long): N51.23626, W101.34960
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Church (Roblin, Municipality of Roblin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Hillcrest School No. 1559 (Municipality of Roblin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Boniface Minor Seminary (615 La Fleche Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba
Shell River Municipality, Century One, 1884-1984: Memories of Roblin and Rural Districts by Roblin History Book Committee, 1986, volume 1, page 221.
Omicron [St. Vladimir’s College yearbook], 1974-1998, Archeparchy of Winnipeg Archives.
Fifty Steps Forward - The 50th Anniversary of St. Vladimir’s College, 1991.
“History of St. Vladimir’s College,” St. Vladimir’s College website (www.stvlads.net), Internet Archive.
“Principal Cap excited about being back at SVC,” Roblin Review, 23 October 2001, page 3.
“College suspends operations,” Roblin Review, 18 June 2002, page 1.
“Seven graduate from St. Vlad’s College,” Roblin Review, 2 July 2002, page 7.
“St. Vladimir’s College: success or failure?,”Progress - Ukrainian Catholic News, 14 March 2004, page 10.
“Auction sale: St. Vladimir’s College inventory,” Roblin Review, 21 September 2004, page 18.
Redemption and Ritual: The Eastern-Rite Redemptorists of North America, 1906-2006 by Paul Laverdure, Yorkton (Saskatchewan): Redeemer’s Voice Press, 2007.
“Koreans to learn English at former Roblin seminary,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 February 2007, page 6.
“College may turn Roblin into new ESL mecca,” Brandon Sun, 12 July 2007, page 4.
“Did we do enough,” Roblin Review, 26 February 2013, page 4.
“Yun not giving up,” Roblin Review, 12 March 2013, page 3.
“St Vladimir College Auction, 21 June 2015,” Garton’s Auction Service.
We thank Gloria Romaniuk (Archeparchy of Winnipeg Archives) for providing access to archival information used here, and David Lisowski, Taras Veryha, Derek Abs, and George Penner for providing additional information.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 28 December 2021
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