Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Trenton (New Jersey)

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Trenton, New Jersey, is a historic and cherished spiritual sanctuary of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). Situated at 824 Adeline Street in the historic South Trenton district, just blocks from the state capitol, the parish represents over a century of continuous Orthodox worship, immigrant solidarity, and active civic witness on behalf of Ukrainian independence and culture in the Garden State.

Immigrant Pioneers and Founding in the State Capital (1919–1952)

The parish’s roots were planted in early 1919, when Father Popil arrived in Trenton to minister to the growing community of Ukrainian immigrant workers employed in Trenton’s famous ceramic potteries, wire rope factories, and rubber plants. Later that year, the community invited Reverend Father Volodymyr Kaskiv to serve as their permanent pastor. On November 20, 1919, the parish was formally incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

Under Father Kaskiv’s energetic leadership, the parish purchased land for a cemetery and acquired an existing building on Woodland Street, converting it into a house of prayer and parish school. Father Kaskiv was also deeply involved in the national organization of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America, devoting significant energy to editing and publishing Dnipro, an influential Ukrainian church weekly newspaper. The parish choir was organized by Michael Palazey, establishing a rich musical tradition that continues to this day.

In August 1939, Reverend Father Michael Zaparyniuk Sr. was assigned as pastor. Recognizing the community’s need for a permanent home, the parish acquired property on Adeline Street, constructing a parish hall, rectory, and grounds. On November 23, 1952, the present-day brick church building was solemnly dedicated by His Beatitude Metropolitan John Theodorovych and His Eminence Archbishop Mstyslav (later the first Patriarch of Kyiv and All Ukraine).

Architectural Character and Liturgical Artistry

Holy Trinity Church on Adeline Street exhibits classic mid-twentieth-century American brick ecclesiastic architecture enriched with traditional Ukrainian Byzantine artistic motifs:

• Twin Bell Towers: The exterior façade is framed by dual brick bell towers flanking the central entrance gables, recently restored with updated belfry louvers and crowned by Orthodox crosses.
• Triumphal Arch and Polychrome Frescoes: The interior nave is anchored by a monumental rounded triumphal sanctuary arch decorated with traditional Ukrainian circular geometric and floral strapwork patterns in azure, gold, and crimson.
• Carved Golden Iconostas: The sanctuary screen features openwork Royal Doors exquisitely carved in solid gold leaf with entwined grapevines and ears of wheat, symbolizing the Eucharistic bread and wine. The icon of the Mystical Supper (Last Supper) above the Royal Doors is traditionally draped with a hand-embroidered Ukrainian rushnyk.
• Millennium of Christianity Mural: In 1988, under the 31-year pastorate of Protopresbyter Father Bohdan Zelechiwsky, the parish commissioned a monumental wall mural celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus (988–1988).
• Side Shrines and Icons: Side altars honor Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Most Holy Theotokos, complemented by hand-written Byzantine icons painted by iconographer Pani Nataliya Zharsky of the Prosopon School of Iconology.

Centennial Jubilee and Multi-Generational Community

In 2019, Holy Trinity Parish celebrated its historic 100th Centennial Anniversary. Under Anniversary Chairperson Cynthia Michalak and the church board, extensive interior and exterior renovations were completed, renewing the church hall, classrooms, and sanctuary appointments for the next century of ministry.

Today, the parish is pastored by Reverend Father Roman Marchyshak, assisted by Deacon Father Valentine Oliinyk, Parish Board President Kostyantyn Bobyk, and Choir Director Taras Pavlovskyi. The congregation is a vibrant, bilingual community where descendants of founding families worship alongside newly arriving Ukrainian families and Orthodox believers of diverse backgrounds.

Wartime Ministry and Hospital Relief for Ukraine

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Holy Trinity Parish has distinguished itself as a dedicated hub of medical relief. Father Roman Marchyshak and the parish council established a direct logistics pipeline shipping high-grade surgical supplies, specialized hospital gear, and trauma medications directly to Ukrainian military field hospitals where wounded defenders are treated.

The parish also maintains a sacred daily spiritual discipline: every afternoon at 3:00 PM, the parish family unites in praying the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners and protect Ukraine.”

Chronological Milestones of Holy Trinity Parish

Parish Information & Contacts