Trembowla Historic Site & Museum/The Cross of Freedom Inc.

Tourism Region: Parkland

The first Ukrainian settlement from Europe was established in 1896, in the Trembowla area along the Drifting River, in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin. The following spring, Reverend Nestor Dmytriw arrived from Pennsylvania to celebrate the first Ukrainian Catholic Liturgy on Canadian soil for the Pioneers. To commemorate the occasion, the settlers erected a large Cross of Freedom representing freedom in a new land. Later that year on September 12, 1897, the settlers of Volkiwtsi, known as Mink River, were also visited by Rev. Dmytriw, who consecrated their cemetery and advised them to build a Church. The following year, the settlers erected a small chapel of logs and later built an addition to the permanent Church. It was consecrated in 1902 as St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church and served the Parish of Mink River until 1960.
The Church was relocated to the Cross of Freedom Historic Site in 1967 where it is preserved to this day as the first and oldest Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada.

About the Collections

The collection consists of: road-side Historic Site, monuments, the first Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada which is preserved on Site. Historic Buildings include: St. Michael's Church, Trembowla School, Wasyl Ksionzyk Home, and replica of a pioneer home. Clay bake oven. In addition, a Grotto has been built to celebrate the centennial of St. Michael's Church (1998). The Grotto, built to the Blessed Virgin Mary, has appropriate plaques relating the history and first parishioners of St. Michael's Church. As well, a statue of the Blessed Mother of the Universe was donated by St. Elizabeth Parish of Polonia.

Archives

Collection of old School books, attendance records of Trembowla School dating back to 1919. Church records from St. Michael's Church, dating 1920 to 1960.

Architectural Records • Prints and Drawings • Photographs • Textual Records
Other: Ukrainian Church books and Bibles

Decorative Arts

Costumes • Furniture or Furnishings
Other: Church banners, chandelier, tabernacle

Fine Arts

Culture:
Canadian • European

Period:
Historical
Other Period: 1896-1966

Media:
Painting • Photography • Prints and Drawings • Sketchbooks or Albums

Miscellaneous:
Religious Art

Other:
Religious Icons

Human History

Cross of Freedom commemorates the site of the first Ukrainian Divine Liturgy.

Ceremonial Objects • Costumes and Accessories • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Imaging : Photographs • Local History • Religious or Liturgical Objects
Other: Clay bake oven.

Natural Sciences

Small collection of fossils and rocks.

Earth Science and Geological Collections
Rocks

Services & Activities

Research Services

Archival Records

Educational Programs

Classes or Workshops

Visitor Services

Bilingual Services • Guided Tours • Accessible by Public Transportation • Audio Guides : English • Information Centre or Desk • Nature Trails, Walks or Gardens • Parking Facilities : Free : Bus • Reminiscence or Oral History Kits • Gift shop • Special Needs Facilities : Parking : Signs : Washrooms : Wheelchair access • Washrooms
Other Guided Tours: Ukrainian

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available • Volunteer Training Offered

Number of Volunteers: 20

Activities: Prepare food for annual event; clean and maintain historic buildings; do grant applications, fundraising, publicity and promotional programs

Member Privileges

Free luncheon, Volunteer Appreciation Day, souvenirs

Food Services

Picnic Area

Publications and Products

Video - Centennial Celebration (100th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement) 1896-1996

Annual Reports • Brochures • Museum Guide • Postcards • Posters • T-Shirts or Sweatshirts or Caps
Other: Centennial Cook Book 1996

Map

Location

Address:	121 - 7th Avenue Southeast Dauphin, Manitoba R7N 2E3 See Map
Telephone:	204-638-9641
Fax:	204-638-5746