Our choir was first organized by Father Theodosius Dobko OSBM in 1940, with 15 singers. The first Divine Liturgy was sung by the choir on January 6, 1941 and the first concert appearance was during a Shevchenko Concert on March 23, 1941.
It was difficult for Father Dobko to continue as Choir Director once he entered the Canadian Armed Forces as Chaplain for the Ukrainian Catholic soldiers, so at different times Mr. P.Kozak, Mr. J. Bonzal, Mr. J. Kowaliw or Mr J. Stashuk assisted.
In 1949 under the direction of Father Boniface Sloboda OSBM membership grew to 70 singers. Father Boniface extended the horizons of the choir to venture beyond the parish. The choir became well known throughout the Lower Mainland, appearing at Folk Festivals, churches and on the CBC radio. During this time the choir made its first recording of 16 church and folk songs.
When Father Boniface left in November 1953 (he returned again in 1965 -1974) the choir progressed under the directorship of
Michael Pukesh.
In 1964 William Smigel became the 8th choir director.
Many awards and prizes were obtained by our choir over the years. There have been 4 albums produced from festive Ukrainian Christmas carols, Easter church hymns to traditional folk songs. The choir travelled throughout the province and into the USA with a trip to Rome performing during the Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine. July 1988.
When Bill Smigel passed away in 2016 Eugene Tokar, Rick Ruta and Sonya Wheelhouse became the Choir leaders.
You can hear their joyous and wonderful voices along with all of the choir members each and every Sunday.
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