Description of Historic Place

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a Municipal Heritage Property located in the Hamlet of Smuts, approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. The designation applies to a one-storey, wood-frame church and belfry situated on approximately one hectare of land.

Heritage Value

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is valued for its association with the local Ukrainian community. Ukrainian immigrants began settling the Smuts district in 1900. The settlers built their first church approximately three kilometres southwest of the current location. The current church was built shortly after the original church was destroyed by fire in 1925 and was moved to its present location in 1955. Situated on a hill overlooking the community, and highly visible within the surrounding landscape, the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church symbolizes the establishment of Ukrainian Greek Catholic faith in this region.

The property’s heritage significance also lies in its architecture, which shows a Neo-Byzantine influence. The church features elements common to Eastern churches. Elements of this style include the cruciform footprint of the building, a large onion-shaped central dome flanked by two smaller onion-shaped domes situated on top of two towers, and a detached belfry located close to the church’s main entrance.

Source:

Rural Municipality of Grant No. 372 Bylaw No. 1-85.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements that reflect the Neo-Byzantine architectural style, such as its cruciform footprint, the onion-shaped domes, opposite towers at the front of the building, rounded-arch and stained glass windows and the detached belfry;
-those elements reflecting its association with the community, such as its orientation on its original lot.