Welcome to
St. Mary's Holy Dormition Orthodox Church
Parish History
To try and capsulate 100 years of history in a few short pages is never an easy task. While we do not have many accurate records of the past 100 years, we do have the collective memory of the faithful and the historical connection to the development of this land.
Most of our faithful are descendents of those who immigrated to this country primarily from Czechoslovakia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1880 to 1917. Many first found themselves working in the coal and steel mines of Pennsylvania. Later many moved west, after the completion of the railroads in 1888, to take advantage of work opportunities in the steel mills of Pueblo, Colorado. With the completion of the railroad out West, land became available as a result of the 1862 Homestead Act. The Slovak immigrants were attracted to this land for two reasons. First, they were farmers and ranchers in the old country. Second, was that the land resembled the country side from which they emigrated.
As soon as a few Slovaks came out to what is now El Paso County, word spread quickly about the good farmland and that each settler would receive 160 acres to develop. To gain clear title to their plot of land they would have to be a resident of the property for five continuous years and pay a registration fee of $30.00. If the homesteader desired, the title could pass into his hands after six months residence and the payment of $1.25 per acre.
Life for the early Slovak settlers was difficult at best. The first “homes” were dug out of the earth or were made of blocks of sod and rock. Wells had to be dug by hand. Many found employment in Colorado Springs and had to leave their families for a week or more at a time in the dugout homes. Life on the prairie had an assortment of other challenges such as floods, hail, severe winter storms, drought, and the “dust bowl” and grasshopper invasions.
In the winter of 1913 a storm deposited 45.5 inches of snow on the days of December 4th-6th. Winds reached a high of 5Omph producing drifts up to 30 feet. Livestock valued at thousands of dollars perished and damage to buildings was devastating. Homesteaders shoveled snow to form paths
From the house to the barns and grain storage buildings tying ropes around their waists to make sure they could find their way back to the house. From that point, only 7.78 inches fell between December and April of 1914. The people of St. Mary’s are certainly no strangers to drought as they endured the Dust Bowl and many droughts over the years. The drought of 2002 was the worst in recorded history. The community is still recovering from that difficult year.
These settlers not only brought with them a willingness to work hard and sacrifice for a better life, but they also brought with them their Orthodox Christian Faith. In 1903, Archbishop Tikhon (cannonized/glorified as St. Tikhon of Moscow in October 1989 consecrated the ground for St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Pueblo, Colorado. Many of the faithful from Calhan were present which inspired them to have their own church. By 1904, our ancestors organized themselves to build their own church. In 1905, Archbishop Tikhon traveled to the very isolated area north of Calhan on his way to New York and consecrated the ground on which the first St. Mary’s Holy Dormition Church would be built. Fr.lna Kibikoff, the first priest to serve at St. Mary’s, was also in attendance. The church was completed on July 4th, 1905 and dedicated on August 28th, 1905. The first church affectionately known as the “Church on the Hill” of course did not have electricity and a coal stove was used for heat. Two cemeteries, St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s were eventually established next to the church and across the road.
In 1917, on the eve of the Bolshevik Revolution, Archbishop Tikhon who had previously been called back to Russia was elected the first Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia since Tsar Peter the Great abolished the Patriarchate in 1700. With the onslaught of the Bolshevik persecution the Russian Church suffered tremendously. The effects of the problems in Russia eventually reached America. The nascent Orthodox Church here in America faced hardships and confusion when almost all contact with the Mother Church was cut off. Even our little corner of the world was affected. Shortly after the Soviet backed “Renovated Living Church” was established in Russia, the same made claims of authority and property ownership to 115 parishes in this country including St. Mary’s. In 1927, a fire, “which mysteriously started” shortly after the “living church” took control of St. Mary’s, brought the church building to the ground. As a result of the fire and issues surrounding the “Living Church” the community split into two factions. By 1932, construction of the “Church on the hill” and the present church was completed about the same time. At that time the community reunited and continues to worship in the present day temple. The “living church,” while laying claim to the original property ceased to function in Calhan. It is interesting to note that it was not until 1977 that St. Mary’s legally gained title to the property on the hill, which had been taken illegally by then “Archbishop” John Kedrovsky of the “Living Church”.
Throughout our history we had a succession of priests, some staying only a short while and speaking very little or no English. Services were in Church Slavonic and some of our older parishioners attended Russian School. Given the isolation and the revolving door of priests it was no secret that our community in Calhan, until recently, was not considered a “plum assignment” for many of these Russian Priests. During the height of the Revolution and shortly thereafter, it was difficult for St Mary’s to get a priest, especially from 1917 to the 1930’s. Sometimes people would write to the old country or New York looking for a priest. This process often took months and even years before a priest could be found. Priests from Denver would pass by and perform a necessary wedding or baptism. It was also not uncommon for our early founders to have their children or grandchildren baptized by an itinerant Roman Catholic Priest.
In 1956, Fr. Paul Fedec was assigned as Rector of St. Mary’s. Fr. Paul dedicated the best years of his ministry to this community in serving here for 37 years. With Fr. Paul, a regular church life was established and the introduction of English as the primary language, church school and the establishment of the Rose Marie Club, a charitable arm of our community. In 1974, Fr. Paul and St. Mary’s were the catalyst in starting SS. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church in Colorado Springs. In 1982, St. Mary’s switched to the Gregorian or “Revised Julian” Calendar by a parish vote of 61 to 40. In 1993, Fr. Paul retired and Fr. Paul Mayernick served for nine months until another permanent priest could be found. Fr. Nicholas Dotson became the Rector in 1993 and served until 2004. During Fr. Nicholas time the parishioners advanced in their understanding of Orthodoxy, many converts joined the church and the rectory was completed. In the summer of 1995, at the parish’s 90th Anniversary his Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius and His Grace, Bishop Tikhon rededicated the church on the hill as a chapel dedicated to St. TIKHON, the founder of St. Mary’s Holy Dormition Orthodox Church.
February 2004 to August 2012, Fr. Lawrence Gaudreau was assigned as Rector of St. Mary’s and strived to strengthen its financial footing and envisions developing a strategic plan for witnessing to the Holy Orthodox Faith on the high plains of Eastern Colorado. Fr. Lawrence was reassigned to California and Fr. Simeon Johnson was assigned as the new Rector from August 2012 to August 2017. He also was reassigned, now residing as an attached priest at Holy Theophany in Colorado Springs. Retired Archpriest, Fr. David Lowell came in as an interim rector from August 2017 until June 2018 while our new priest Fr. Stephen Osburn finished his first assignment in Las Vegas, NV. As of 1st of June 2018, Fr. Stephen is the rector of St. Mary’s. His primary vision is to continue the good work that other rectors have done while also promoting strong community and youth involvement in the parish and community.
With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith. We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.
Areas Served
Located about 5 miles north of Calhan, Colorado, St. Mary’s Holy Dormition Orthodox Church serves the following areas:
- Eastern Colorado Springs
- Falcon, Colorado
- Peyton, Colorado
- Calhan, Colorado
- Ramah, Colorado
- Simla, Colorado
- Kiowa, Colorado
- Limon, Colorado
- and the rest of Colorado’s beautiful Eastern Plains
If you are an Orthodox Christian, or curious about the Orthodox Faith, and have moved into any of these areas, we encourage you to come and visit us. We’d love to have you as part of our community.
Bulletin Archives
Church Leadership
We are under the episcopacy of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West, and the ruling hierarch of the Orthodox Church in America is His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of all America and Canada. Our Parish Rector is Priest Stephen Osburn. (biography)
His Beatitude, the Most Blessed
Tikhon
Metropolitan of All-America and Canada
His Eminence, Archbishop
Benjamin
Archbishop of San Francisco and the West Ruling hierarch
Father
Stephen
Rector of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church
Parish Council/Ministries
Starosta:
Rod Glover
Secretary:
Becky Fischer
Treasurer:
Carrie Guy
Council Members:
Scott Mikita
Michael Hlatki
John (Butch) Sakala
Bill (Basil) Stevens
Joshua Sisneros
Terri Volosin
Sam Greska
Choir Directors:
Bill Hendrix
Terri Volosin
Church School:
Carrie Guy
Vicki Pasko-Tipton
Mat. Lindsey Osburn
Sheila Mikita-Tart
Webmaster:
Fr. Stephen Osburn
Past Rectors
Orthodox priests (presbyters) are the second order of ordained ministry. Priests or Pastors of local churches or Parishes are primarily responsible for preaching and celebrating the Eucharist and other Sacraments. They teach, preach, counsel and exercise the ministries of forgiveness and healing. They answer directly to the Bishop, the third order of ordained ministry. Priests assist the Bishop in his work. Bishops administer their dioceses and are responsible for the ordination of other clergy. The present Archbishop of the Diocese is His Eminence Benjamin of San Francisco.
The priests of Saint Mary’s are listed below. Up until 1950, some of these priests were temporary or assigned to other parishes and also served St. Mary’s. There could have been other priests.
- Father Ina Kubikoff 1905-1918 Church on the Hill
- Father Pahomey Delemen 1918-1919 Church on the Hill
- Father Peter Semashko 1920-1923 Church on the Hill
- Father Theodore Grishan 1921-1925 Church on the Hill
- Father Harry J. Stroyan 1926-Feb 1928 Church on the Hill
- *Father J. Tkoch/Joseph Takach Feb 1928-1931 Church on the Hill
- Father Theodore Grishan 1931 (temporary) Church on the Hill
- Father Jakim Tkach (Koch) 1933-1934 Church on the Hill
- Fr Takach also served Sproch Church (the Sproch Church was dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos).
- *Father Takach was attached or assigned to The Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, Denver, Colorado, 1926-1931.
- He also served The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Church on the Hill) from 1928 to 1931.
- Father Michael Zaharkow 1929-1938 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Pahomey Delemen 1938-1940 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Dimitri Kolodiuk (Baptized parishioners between 1938 and 1942 although Father Delemen and Father Grachev were priests of the parish.)
- Father Peter Grachev 1940-1944 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- FatherVasily Demidov 1944-1945 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Michael Konuch 1945 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Peter Pripisnoff Temporary priest approx 1946-1947
- Father Eugene Olendy 1946-1950 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Alexander Sportun 1947-1948 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Also served at Sproch church.
- Father Nicholas Shambura Unknown Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father Paul Hicha 1948-1955 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- Father (Very Reverend) Paul S. Fedec 1956-1993 Karpato-Russian Orthodox Church
- The Parish was Re-named St. Mary’s Eastern Orthodox Church
- Father (Very Reverend) Paul Mayemick 1993 – Temporary priest, nine months
- Father Nicholas Dotson 1993- 2003
- The Parish was Re-named St. Mary’s Holy Dormition Orthodox Church
- Father Lawrence Gaudreau Oct 2004-Aug 2012
- Father Simeon B. Johnson October 2012-August 2017
- Father (Very Reverend) David Lowell August 2017-June 2018 – Temporary priest
- Father Stephen Osburn Jr. June 2018-Present