St John the Baptist Parish, Horen

The Russian Orthodox Church St. John the Baptist is located fifty miles west of Edmonton and seven miles south of Seba Beach, Alberta.

The small community of Horen held its fist church service in September, 1949 at the Dnepro School. Rev. Wasyl Hochachka officiated and the choir was made up of amateur singers and others who tried to follow. Because of the successful attendance, these services were continued to be held in this school for another two or three years.

On September 23, 1951 the people of the vicinity of Horen, Tomahawk, Seba Beach, Moonlake, Berymoor and Highvale held an organization meeting with the help of Rev. W. Hochachka. Mr. Bill Yurchak was approached by the Church Committee if he would sell an acre of his land for the new church site. Bill Yurchak, very generously, donated an acre of SW Half of 6-52-55. The people were happy. Mr. Philip Ryznik also offered to donate lumber for the construction of the new church at its present location.

By the spring of 1952, the congregation increased to 45 members and more donations were received. They now had enough funds to start building. Mr. Nick Berznuik was hired to do all the carpentry with volunteer help from the church members. By fall, the exterior of the new church building was completed and on November 13, 1952 it was incorporated as “Russian Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist”.

In 1953 new members with trade skills, assisted in the completion of the church interior. Mr. Paul Kozel and Metrofan Bobryk and his sons donated their labour for the completion of the iconostasis and the ’finishing’ carpentry. This took about three years.

Next the congregation discussed the need for a cemetery. In 1954 a site was chosen –on the hill–one mile north of the church. Si Refuse, who owned the property, was approached regarding the sale of an acre of his land –a corner of S.E. Quarter -12-52-65.

In 1954, the Dnepro School was up for sale by the Stony Plain School Division. The members decided to purchase this building and its two-acre parcel of land for a parish hall.

Although this congregation is small, its members are very active with church functions and other activities.