St. James Presbyterian

1912-present

Until 1990, the church located at 486 Simcoe Street South was known as the Ukrainian Presbyterian Church.  This building became home to Oshawa’s Ukrainian Presbyterians after many temporary locations.

The congregation arose from an English language classes offered by Rev. Kupchnyski who came to Oshawa from the Ukraine in 1912.  He taught language classes and later conducted services from his home at 486 Albert Street, and this was the beginnings of the Ukrainian Protestant church in Oshawa.

As the congregation grew so did the need for larger premises.  With assistance from Col. R.S. McLaughlin and Alex Storie, a building at 46 Albany Street was purchased (near today’s Northern Portugal Cultural Centre).  This became known as the Albany Street Mission and became a centre of Ukrainian culture offering lectures, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, church services and Sunday school.

Rev. Kupchnyski moved to New York in 1925, and when the United Church was formed, the Ukrainian Presbyterians once again found themselves looking for a new home.  The Ukrainian Presbyterian Mission was formed; they first met at a private home on Oxford Street before renting a premises owned by the Chamara Brothers at 68 Oshawa Street.  Services were led by a deaconess until the arrival of Reverend Luke Standrat.  They worshipped there until 1930 when they were finally able to erect their own church on Simcoe Street South at a cost of $8,000.  The new church was located at 619 Simcoe Street South between Jackson (Lviv Blvd.) and Bloor Street.  The church was built largely by members who though unable to donate money were willing to give their labour.  A commemorative corner stone was laid by Rev. Andrew S. Grant MD, DD., Secretary of the General Board of Missions, with a history of the congregation was sealed within the corner stone.

Once again this was proved to be a temporary location for the 24 families of the congregation when the government expropriated the land to expand Highway 401.  In 1942, a new church was dedicated at 486 Simcoe Street South.  The corner stone was taken from the church at 619 Simcoe Street South and placed in the new building. It can still be seen today.

In 1990 the name of the church was changed to St. James Presbyterian Church to reflect changes in the congregation and appeal to a wider community. The Oshawa Korean Church also offers services from the church on Simcoe.

6 reviews

  1. Our Ukrainian Family - The Melnichuk’s

    My grandparents were members, my parents were married there and in later years I was their minister from 1997-2004. Such fond memories.

  2. I went there as a child to Sunday School. Rev John Jacenty was the Minister. I fondly remember the Christmas Pageants and a Sunday School teacher Natalie. Went there later when it was a temporary location for Good Shepherd Anglican Catholic Church with Bishop Woolcock.

  3. Former Ukrainian Presbyterian church attendee

    I began my journey at the Saint James Ukrainian church as a child. I accompanied my parents and grand parents to Sunday services. The minister throughout that period was Reverend John Jacenty a wonderful gentlemen. He was married to Mary and they had five children Dorthy John Arnold Iris and Diane. Reverend Jacenty’ family became my second family which became a life long wonderful home to spend time in. I was baptized and married in that wonderful church. I still keep in touch with Reverend Jacenty’s daughters. Christmases were splendid with Christmas concerts and gift giving the highlight of a child’s year in Sunday school. At the back of the church there was a plaque of the soldiers who when to fight in the Second World War, those who came home and those who gave their lives. If any one has a photo of that plaque I would dearly love a copy? Thank you.
    theresa.miller@shaw.ca God Bless all the good folks who graced that wonderful church under Reverend Jacenty’s guidance.

    1. Thank you for sharing your stories! Sadly, we do not have any images inside the church in our archival collection.

  4. Fond memories of the Ukrainian presbyterian church

    I was raised going to the Ukrainian presbyterian church,and my parents were the first couple married at the present location.I always loved the stain glass windows my grandfather Alex muzyka helped to build the church.wow $8000 was a lot of money in those days.the church was always packed .we had a lot of picnics at cooper s farmwonderful memories Irene thaczuk

  5. 110th Anniversary of St.James Presbyterian Church

    I am filled with excitement and overflowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit Oct. 1st, 2023 as we celebrate this special occasion. God has built His church to magnify His glory and we are the fruit of His labor. May he continue to use our church to fulfill His glory. Happy anniversary to the church of God.

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Simcoe Street South 486
Oshawa L1H 4J8 ON CA
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