Father Philip Ruh: A missionary-architect among the Ukrainian people in Canada

By Ihor Cap

In his early life, he embraced the Ukrainian community in Canada so much so that in the end he saw himself as a Ukrainian and so did the Ukrainian community.

Summary

Source: Pioneers of Manitoba, 1970,

 by Robert Harvey

Father Philip Ruh was destined to do many great things, especially for the Ukrainian communities in Canada. Why a non-Ukrainian would give so much of himself to these communities is what makes this story even more intriguing. Be it fate or Divine Providence, but Father Ruh's story is an indelible chapter of missionary zeal in a foreign land and sacrifice to a people that he has come to love.  Father Ruh died in 1962. He lies buried next to one of the most beautiful churches that adorn Canada's prairies, The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cook's Creek, Manitoba. The structure of this "Prairie Cathedral" (which incorporates traditional Ukrainian Kievan and Cossack Baroque styles as well as some elements of Roman, American Colonial and other Western design influences) was completed in 1938 and well advanced and rededicated in 1952. It is considered one of the finest Byzantine-style churches in Manitoba. It is a church that Father Ruh designed and where he served as pastor for thirty-two years. The church has come to be known as the "Ukrainian Lourdes" because it attracts many Ukrainian and foreign pilgrims who journey to the sacred Grotto and Calvary added here over the ensuing years. The monumental task of building a Calvary and Grotto adjacent to the church was started by Father Ruh in 1954 and was completed by the Knights of Columbus of the St. Josephat Council in 1970.  On May 1, 1986, the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Cooks Creek was designated a Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site (No. 23) by the Honourable Judy Wasylycia-Leis, then Minister of Culture, Heritage and Recreation. This is not the only church the Very Reverend Philip Ruh, O.M.I. (1883-1962) designed. He was responsible for planning at least 30 Ukrainian Catholic churches in Canada, 13 of which survive in Manitoba. Reverend Ruh worked alongside his congregation at Cooks Creek in building this church, the largest of his remaining creations in Manitoba, notes the Provincial Government Heritage Web Site. ( http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/prov/p023.html )

 

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of Cooks Creek

Biographical Sketch of Reverend Philip Ruh (Roux), O.M.I. (1883-1962)

Father Ruh: The Early Years

Father Philip Ruh was born in 1883, in a German-speaking village called Bickenholtz in Alsace-Lorraine then part of the German Empire (today France). His father was Nicholas Ruh (Ruh in German or Roux in French) and his mother was Mrs. Maria Ruh, née Marie Bouger (a.k.a. Marie Boucher).

Google Map of Related Area

In 1898, Father Ruh entered the juniorat Saint-Charles, Oblate Fathers preparatory school at Valkenburg, Holland , the Netherlands where he received his early education.  In 1903, he decided to pursue an additional year of studies with the Oblate Fathers to complete his novitiate of Saint-Gerlach, in Houthem Sint-Gerlach, Holland.  He studied various subjects, but mostly philosophy and theology, and made his vocation in August 15, 1904.  In 1905, he attended the old scolasticat (or seminary ) in Hünfeld (Huenfeld), Germany, near Fulda to pursue higher learning in architecture, astronomy, botany, and economics.  He made his private vows of obedience on a CatholicHoly Day of Obligation , the Assumption of Mary   (15 August 1907). This Holy Day is recognized by Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches as the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 28 after the Julian calendar .  He was ordained into the order at Fulda , in 1910, and out of the 19 graduates that were ordained as priests, 2 had a special calling unlike that of Oblate missionaries before them. Father Ruh was one of them. He was to work with the Ukrainian people of which he knew nothing about.

Father Ruh in Ukraine

St. George's Cathedral in Lviv, Ukraine

Although he was trained in the Latin rite, he adapted quite easily to the Byzantine Rite , and the Ukrainian culture. He learned to read and speak Ukrainian in Western Ukraine at the Grand Catholic Seminary near St. George's Cathedral in Lviv , Ukraine . Within six months he was able to hear confessions in Ukrainian. Not bad for someone who took lessons only twice a day. Father Ruh received one Ukrainian language lesson in the morning and one lesson in the evening. 

Buchach, Ukraine

It is here he came to learn about the Ukrainian people and their ways. His various projects in Buchach and confessor duties in the village of Horodnysti made him come to know and love the Ukrainians and they him. It was especially hard for him to leave them for missionary work among the Ukrainians in Canada.

Father Ruh in Canada

He bid farewell to his loved ones back home in Germany before departing to Canada. He arrived in Canada in 1913 on a German ship called the "Victorel". Then, it was thought to be the fastest ship around. It only took five days to travel. He had but a short sojourn in Winnipeg, and then was off to Edmonton. He fell ill with scarlet fever, and after his recovery was assigned to missionary work north of the North Saskatchewan River. He also served the Ukrainians in Alberta. This quickly grew to twelve parishes and some 500 families in various communities such as Stry, Radway, Valet, Cache Lake, Flat Lake, Downing, Bellis, Smokey Lake, Elderina, Cookville, Redwater, and Sunland. He even managed to build a few small chapels and churches as well as enlarging an orphanage in Edmonton and erecting a monastery in Mundare which was completed in 1921 for the Basilian Fathers. Such was the nature of his work from 1913 to 1923.

In the ensuing years, Father Ruh continued to work diligently constructing new Churches in new communities across the Canadian Prairies, until he was summoned to Cook's Creek, Manitoba, March 1, 1930.  Father Ruh became pastor of two very small churches in Manitoba: (1) the Church of St. Nicholas which later amalgamated with the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cook's Creek, and (2) St. Michael's Church in Tyndall.  Together, that comprised about 250 families which included travels to Portage La Prairie until another priest would be appointed in that community. That compelled him to immediately start building a new church made out of brick and stone that eventually came to be known as the "Prairie Cathedral".

The "Prairie Cathedral" in Cook's Creek, Manitoba

The Prairie Cathedral in Cook's Creek

Father Ruh (1984) remembered the construction of this new "Prairie Cathedral" as a long undertaking that was done on an intermittent basis as time and the availability of funds permitted. The 140x100ft basement was completed in 1930 before winter set in.  Some 5000 people were present for the cornerstone blessing that Bishop Wasilij Ladyka performed. After a brief sojourn to visit his aged mother in the Old Country, Father Ruh returned to the misery of the Canadian steppes that were beleaguered by drought and grasshopper infestation. The next three years were much the same. It forced the disadvantaged farmers to accept "relief" until 1938.  Money was scarce recalls Father Ruh (1984, p. 23-24) in his autobiography, but some 400 young men and women were available to continue work on the new church.  He recalls the experience this way:

"In 1934 we resumed building the church.  Each year it went a little higher. In 1938 we were able to place crosses on the nine domes. In 1940 the official opening of the new church took place.

From 1933 to 1940 services were held in the basement. Times were difficult but on the other hand, they were much happier than now. People used to get together to talk, to tell stories and tales from the past, and to sing joyful songs. Weddings took place in homes and not impersonal halls. Parents were happy among their children, and a priest among his parishioners.

It took from 1940-1952 to finish the project, inside and out. And in 1952 the grand consecration of the new church took place."

Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception Interior

Work on the big Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception and the large Calvary which incorporates the twelve Stations of the Cross and death of Christ on Calvary commenced in 1954.  Father Ruh fondly referred to it as the "Ukrainian Lourdes"  While this effort tended to consume most of his energy, he nevertheless pressed on with design plans for many other churches. Some of them came to fruition the very same year, like the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in East Kildonan, Manitoba.  Others were completed later. Father Ruh planned church designs, schools and other significant projects and structures that were successfully completed for Ukrainian communities in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Many remain undated, and still other church design plans never came to be used at all.

Grotto and Calvary at Cook's Creek, Manitoba

In 1957, Father Ruh visited his family across the ocean. This was to be the last time. In 1960, he celebrated 50 years of service in the priesthood, and the"Ukrainian Lourdes" project is where he dedicated the last years of his life.  Father Ruh died on October 24, 1962 but left enough details behind on how to complete the Grotto to the person most familiar with his plans, that being Mr. J. Zborowsky.  John Zborowsky along with Walter Drerys, and Ed Swiecicki represented the St. Josephat Council, No. 4138 of the Knights of Columbus. The three of them committed themselves to completing Father Ruh's last request. To this end, the basic structure of Father Ruh's last great effort “ the Grotto" dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary was completed by 1970.

Conclusion

In closing, I leave the reader with a few excerpts from the June 2, 1960, Letter of Recognition from the Archbishop of Winnipeg, His Grace, Maxim Hermaniuk, Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada, honouring the Reverend Father Philip Ruh, O.M.I. (1984) on the Golden Anniversary of his priesthood. The Archbishop aptly summarizes the sentiments of the Winnipeg Archdiocese, the whole Canadian Metropolinate, and all of the spiritual fathers as well as the faithful in these words:

"in the name of the whole Canadian Metropolinate, our great recognition and heartfelt thanks for Your great sacrifice and beneficial work for the good of Christ's Church and our Ukrainian people in Canada. (pp.43-45)
 During the forty-seven years You have been in this country, You have shown Yourself to be, dear Father Jubilarian, not only a zealous missionary-priest who has fully dedicated himself to the salvation of souls, but also a recognized architect-builder, who has given our community in this country so many beautiful stylistic churches and other valuable church buildings.
We are all aware, first of all, of Your missionary pioneer work in the forests of Northern Alberta, where with great sacrifice You served as a shepherd of souls for the districts of Stry and Radway Centre. There it was necessary for you to travel hundreds of miles though [sic] forests and swamps, to carry spiritual comfort to our Ukrainian settlers and to organize their religious and cultural life.
  Also known to us is Your difficult and extraordinarily valuable work as a shepherd of souls in the area of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, (including) Your present parish, where You, dear Father Jubilarian, for thirty years have been their true spiritual father, a Ukrainian cultural leader, a sincere friend and constant advisor. Here (in Cook's Creek) the spirit of Your priesthood will abide forever. "(p.45)

Author Information:

Ihor Cap, Ph.D. is a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Canada.

Main Reference

REVEREND PHILIP RUH, O.M.I. Missionary and Architect (Autobiography) (1984). Translated from Ukrainian by Morris Kowalchuk, B.A., B.Ed., Edited by Gloria Romaniuk., Printed by Buchanan Printers, Copyright held by the Parish of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Cook's Creek, R.R. 2 Dugald, Manitoba. Pastor Rev. John Sholdak, Winnipeg, 1984.

Additional Readings
Landmarks, Monuments & Built Heritage of the West - Title: Philip Ruh fonds  

Ruh, Philip. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0010297  

A Good Byzantine Cathedral http://www.rewedmonton.ca/content_view2?CONTENT_ID=667

The Very Reverend Philip Ruh, O.M.I. Priest, Architect and Builder of about 40 Ukrainian Catholic Churches http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansk/Saskatchewan/ethnic/PhilipRuh.html

Manitoba Provincial Heritage Site No. 23: Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception Cooks Creek http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/prov/p023.html

CHRONOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MAIN EVENTS IN THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CANADA http://www.edmontoneparchy.com/about_history_canada.htm   

An Introduction to Manitoba Church Architecture http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/features/ruralchurches/index.shtml

Philip Ruh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Ruh

An Interview with Mr. Emil Michaels http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/04/michaels_e.shtml

Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5391

Kievan and Cossack Baroque Styles http://www.ukrainianchurchesofcanada.ca/architectural_styles/traditional_kievan.html

Oblates in the West: “ The Alberta Story: Biographies “ :Roux Philippe http://www.albertasource.ca/oblatesinthewest/eng/media/b-bio-rouxP.html

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