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St. John the Divine Church
Windsor
ON
N8Y 2P8
- Orthodox Church in America churches in Windsor, ON
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Who we are
St. John the Divine Church is an Orthodox Church in America church in Windsor, Ontario.
We are a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying and working together actively to reach out to our communities.
We are a place to believe, belong, and become!
We are a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying and working together actively to reach out to our communities.
We are a place to believe, belong, and become!
Street Address
Church Pastor
Rev. Fr. Constantine Katsilas
Rector
1094 Drouillard Rd
Windsor,
ON
N8Y 2P8
Canada
Phone: 519-258-8668
Download Rector Rev. Fr. Constantine Katsilas vCard
Quote of the Day
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Denomination
Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America churches in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Orthodox Church in America churches in Ontario, Canada
Orthodox Church in America churches in Canada
All churches in Windsor, ON
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Fr. Constantine Katsilas
Leader Position:
Rector
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Rev. Fr. Constantine Katsilas on Social Media:
St. John the Divine Church Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
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Mailing Address
Driving Directions to St. John the Divine Church
Travel/Directions Tips
We are located on the east side of Windsor, Ontario in the Ford City District.
From Highway 401
Get off at Essex Road (46W) Exit 14 (toward Windsor)
Follow Provincial Road CR-46
To Walker Road (turn right) for approximately 5 miles
To Richmond Street (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
From the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit)
Out of customs (turn right) head back towards the river
To Riverside Drive (turn right) for approximately 4 miles
To Drouillard Road (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
From the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
Out of customs (turn right) first street
To Goyeau Street (turn right) first street
To Wyandot Street (turn left) for approximately 2 miles
To Drouillard Road (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
From Highway 401
Get off at Essex Road (46W) Exit 14 (toward Windsor)
Follow Provincial Road CR-46
To Walker Road (turn right) for approximately 5 miles
To Richmond Street (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
From the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit)
Out of customs (turn right) head back towards the river
To Riverside Drive (turn right) for approximately 4 miles
To Drouillard Road (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
From the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
Out of customs (turn right) first street
To Goyeau Street (turn right) first street
To Wyandot Street (turn left) for approximately 2 miles
To Drouillard Road (turn right) for approximately 1/2 mile
Church is on the Left
Parking
St. John the Divine Church Windsor Service Times
Regular Schedule of Services
Current Protocol and Service Schedule:
Wearing masks is mandatory; we follow an order of social distancing. This protocol is due to the COVID virus and is effect until further notice, in obedience to our Archbishop.
VESPERS -- For the month of December, each Saturday at 6:30 pm.
CONFESSIONS -- Immediately following VESPERS, and 9:30 to 10 am SUNDAYS.
DIVINE LITURGY -- 10:30 am.
Please note: Call 519-258-8668 and leave a message, should you have questions. Fr. Constantine will return your call.
Service Times last updated on the 25th of December, 2022
Current Protocol and Service Schedule:
Wearing masks is mandatory; we follow an order of social distancing. This protocol is due to the COVID virus and is effect until further notice, in obedience to our Archbishop.
VESPERS -- For the month of December, each Saturday at 6:30 pm.
CONFESSIONS -- Immediately following VESPERS, and 9:30 to 10 am SUNDAYS.
DIVINE LITURGY -- 10:30 am.
Please note: Call 519-258-8668 and leave a message, should you have questions. Fr. Constantine will return your call.
Service Times last updated on the 25th of December, 2022
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
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Other activities & ministries
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Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
St. John the Divine Church Photo Gallery
St. John the Divine Church History
The Orthodox faithful in the City of Windsor did not have their own church. This sizable colony, comprised of Russians, Bessarabians, Bukovinians, Carpathians, Galicians, Serbians, Ukrainians, Romanians, and Greeks had to travel to Detroit, attend a French Catholic church, or on some occasions they would invite an Orthodox priest from another area, to fulfil their spiritual needs. In 1914, the faithful began to formally organize their own Orthodox Church in Windsor.
Several Orthodox Christians gathered at the meeting. They were able to collect enough money to purchase two lots on the corner of Drouillard and Richmond Street. They began building the church in the name of St John the Divine (Evangelist) in the summer of 1916, and completed the entire project by December of the same year, which was then blessed by assigned priest, Fr Joseph Shekaley. The church was registered in 1917 under the jurisdiction of Bishop Evdokim.
In 1924, in the wake of the war and the communist revolution, many refugees from Russia settled in Canada, and the Church grew in numbers and energy. Parish life was in full swing. They leased a building near the church to use as a Social Hall and organized dances, banquets and concerts which brought in substantial revenue. They also organized an impressive library of books of distinguished Russian writers.
Eventually, the parishioners realized that it would be much more economical to build their own hall, so the rector, Father Fedorchuk, along with parishioners and contractors, began to create a basement beneath the church, and when the construction was completed, and the parishioners began to use their new Parish Hall in 1929.
Father Fedorchuk and Fedor Buchovsky organized a choral group in the name of St Roman the Sweet. From this group, the rector chose singers for the Church Choir, and he also formed a sisterhood in the name of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin Mary who was responsible for the upkeep of the Church, and handled the preparations for banquets and special events.
As in many other cities, many new Orthodox parishes began organizing, but reflecting more specific nationality and linguistic backgrounds. These times saw St John the Divine changing from being the one Church for all Orthodox, to one of several churches. However, we are still recognized as the "Mother Church of Orthodoxy" in the City of Windsor.
In 1939, Metropolitan THEOPHILUS assigned Fr. Evgeny Serebrennikoff to the parish. He is best known as a good organizer and by obtaining a new charter for the church. He also began the "Russian Day" picnics which boosted morale and helped financially.
The year 1942 brought many celebrations during the parish's twenty-fifth year. On February 1st, Fr Anthony, Deacon Lukian, and many area clergy celebrated the Silver Jubilee. The Church was filled with parishioners, friends, and invited guests, including the Mayor of the City of Windsor (who helped cut the cake). After the banquet, a concert was staged with music, dancing and recitations. The second event of the Jubilee was held on October 11th, which is the feast day of St John the Divine. At this time enough money was pledged to completely repay all of the outstanding debts. It was indeed a day of celebration.
In 1946, the church was severely damaged by fire. However, with no insurance, but with true Christian spirit, parishioners raised funds, organized working groups, and rebuilt the church with brick, and on November 27, 1949, the corner stone of the new St. John the Divine Church was blessed.
It is interesting to note that in spite of many previous short terms of clergy at the church, V. Rev. Lukian Steciuk served faithfully from 1934 as Reader, 1936 as Deacon, and from 1944 as rector until his death in 1976.
In 2005, a group of Fr. Steciuk’s family members led the challenge to renovate the church and parish hall.
Fr. Dean Katsilas was ordained on January 1, 2007 to serve the community of St. John the Divine. A new chapter has begun. Our community continues to live.
Several Orthodox Christians gathered at the meeting. They were able to collect enough money to purchase two lots on the corner of Drouillard and Richmond Street. They began building the church in the name of St John the Divine (Evangelist) in the summer of 1916, and completed the entire project by December of the same year, which was then blessed by assigned priest, Fr Joseph Shekaley. The church was registered in 1917 under the jurisdiction of Bishop Evdokim.
In 1924, in the wake of the war and the communist revolution, many refugees from Russia settled in Canada, and the Church grew in numbers and energy. Parish life was in full swing. They leased a building near the church to use as a Social Hall and organized dances, banquets and concerts which brought in substantial revenue. They also organized an impressive library of books of distinguished Russian writers.
Eventually, the parishioners realized that it would be much more economical to build their own hall, so the rector, Father Fedorchuk, along with parishioners and contractors, began to create a basement beneath the church, and when the construction was completed, and the parishioners began to use their new Parish Hall in 1929.
Father Fedorchuk and Fedor Buchovsky organized a choral group in the name of St Roman the Sweet. From this group, the rector chose singers for the Church Choir, and he also formed a sisterhood in the name of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin Mary who was responsible for the upkeep of the Church, and handled the preparations for banquets and special events.
As in many other cities, many new Orthodox parishes began organizing, but reflecting more specific nationality and linguistic backgrounds. These times saw St John the Divine changing from being the one Church for all Orthodox, to one of several churches. However, we are still recognized as the "Mother Church of Orthodoxy" in the City of Windsor.
In 1939, Metropolitan THEOPHILUS assigned Fr. Evgeny Serebrennikoff to the parish. He is best known as a good organizer and by obtaining a new charter for the church. He also began the "Russian Day" picnics which boosted morale and helped financially.
The year 1942 brought many celebrations during the parish's twenty-fifth year. On February 1st, Fr Anthony, Deacon Lukian, and many area clergy celebrated the Silver Jubilee. The Church was filled with parishioners, friends, and invited guests, including the Mayor of the City of Windsor (who helped cut the cake). After the banquet, a concert was staged with music, dancing and recitations. The second event of the Jubilee was held on October 11th, which is the feast day of St John the Divine. At this time enough money was pledged to completely repay all of the outstanding debts. It was indeed a day of celebration.
In 1946, the church was severely damaged by fire. However, with no insurance, but with true Christian spirit, parishioners raised funds, organized working groups, and rebuilt the church with brick, and on November 27, 1949, the corner stone of the new St. John the Divine Church was blessed.
It is interesting to note that in spite of many previous short terms of clergy at the church, V. Rev. Lukian Steciuk served faithfully from 1934 as Reader, 1936 as Deacon, and from 1944 as rector until his death in 1976.
In 2005, a group of Fr. Steciuk’s family members led the challenge to renovate the church and parish hall.
Fr. Dean Katsilas was ordained on January 1, 2007 to serve the community of St. John the Divine. A new chapter has begun. Our community continues to live.
St. John the Divine Church Historical Photos
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