Our Parish History
A story of faith, Ukrainian heritage, and generations of parishioners who built a spiritual home in Baltimore.
2401 Eastern Avenue • Baltimore, Maryland
From Immigrant Homes to a Parish Church
Ukrainian immigrants began arriving in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood in the 1880s. Initially they worshipped in private homes and neighboring churches. In 1910, Rev. Zachary Orun began ministering to the faithful. The parish purchased land on South Wolfe Street in 1912, and the first Divine Liturgy in the new church was celebrated in August 1913.
Ukrainian families arrive in Baltimore.
Land acquired on South Wolfe Street.
First Divine Liturgy in the original church.
A New Home on Eastern Avenue
In 1981, the parish purchased its present site from the City of Baltimore. Former school and warehouse buildings were demolished in 1983. The new church site was blessed on April 29, 1984, and the parish center was completed in 1988.
The historical construction photographs show the building rising from its steel framework to the curved walls and distinctive Byzantine design.
Craftsmanship, Volunteers, and the Domes
The parish’s historical album preserves photographs of parishioners working on the domes, large copper-colored dome sections awaiting installation, and cranes carefully lifting them into place. These images belong to the original construction story—not the later restoration.
The First Divine Liturgy
The new church building was completed in May 1991. Archbishop Volodymyr Sterniuk of Lviv celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the new church on May 19, 1991. These original photographs document that historic celebration.
Consecration of St. Michael’s
Metropolitan Stephen Sulyk and Archbishop William Keeler consecrated the new St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church on November 22, 1992. The original Ukrainian-language program commemorates the dedication.
On June 25, 1995, the iconostasis was blessed and the parish celebrated the burning of its church mortgage. Interior painting was blessed on November 2, 1997.
Five Golden Domes, a Link to Kyiv
According to Baltimore Heritage, the church’s Cossack Baroque design was modeled after Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Its five gold-covered domes and copper construction make it a distinctive landmark near Patterson Park. The bell from the former South Wolfe Street church was brought to the present building, connecting the old parish home with the new.
A distinctive feature of the church’s architecture.
Inspired by Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Transferred from the original Wolfe Street church.
Our Spiritual Shepherds
We honor the clergy who served St. Michael’s through generations of parish life. The original historical album is presented together with the photograph of our current pastor, Rev. Yuriy Pylypchak (2024–Present). Rev. Vasyl Sivinskyi served from 2004 to 2024.
Historical clergy photographs are preserved as supplied. The current pastor’s original color portrait is displayed alongside them.
Faith and Community Today
St. Michael’s continues to celebrate the Byzantine Catholic tradition in Ukrainian and English, while preserving the heritage passed down by generations of Baltimore’s Ukrainian families.
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 8:00 AM in English and 10:00 AM in Ukrainian. Confessions are offered before each Liturgy.
Learn more: Our Church · Baltimore Heritage · Archeparchy of Philadelphia