Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Wilmington (Delaware)

Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Wilmington, Delaware, is the primary spiritual haven, historic sanctuary, and communal heart of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians in the First State. Located at 1406 Philadelphia Pike along the historic transit corridor of northern New Castle County, this venerable parish belongs to the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA under the canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, providing decades of faithful liturgical prayer, pastoral guidance, and benevolent service across the Delaware Valley.

Immigrant Roots in the Delaware Valley

The parish’s history is interwoven with the industrial growth of the Greater Wilmington area, situated midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Ukrainian immigrant families arrived in Delaware in the early to mid-twentieth century to work in the region’s bustling chemical manufacturing facilities, shipbuilding yards along the Delaware River, and textile mills. United by their ancient Eastern Slavic Christian heritage, they sought to establish a dedicated house of prayer where their children could be nurtured in Orthodox spirituality and Ukrainian traditions.

Dedicated under the patronage of the Holy Preeminent Apostles Peter and Paul, the congregation acquired the expansive suburban property on Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington. Through the selfless sacrifices of multiple generations, the community constructed a dignified sanctuary, established a parish cemetery, and built an adjacent fellowship hall that has hosted decades of parish banquets, youth gatherings, and educational forums.

Sacred Architecture and Liturgical Appointments

The interior of Sts. Peter and Paul Church is distinguished by an atmosphere of prayerful solemnity and traditional canonical craftsmanship:

• Hand-Carved Oak Iconostas: The sanctuary nave is anchored by an imposing hand-carved solid oak iconostas, detailed with openwork golden grapevine scrollwork that frames icons of Christ the Teacher, the Mother of God, the Holy Apostles, and Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.
• Processional Khoruhvy and Ripidia: Treasured within the church are vintage processional banners (khoruhvy) hand-embroidered with scenes of the Holy Resurrection and the Apostles Peter and Paul, displayed alongside golden sunburst ripidia adorned with Ukrainian rushnyky.
• Altar Mosaics & Frescoes: The high chancel wall behind the holy altar table features rich Eastern Christian mosaics and murals, flanked by stained glass windows portraying scenes from the New Testament.
• Devotional Appointments: Hand-woven Ukrainian embroidered rushnyky dress every analogion and icon stand, while rows of solid oak pews provide welcoming accommodations for worshippers.

Pastoral Leadership and Diocesan Service

For more than two decades, the spiritual life of the parish has been guided by Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick, one of the most respected senior clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. In addition to his pastoral duties at Sts. Peter and Paul, Father Stephen serves as the esteemed Treasurer of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA and provides pastoral oversight to regional missions across Delaware and Maryland, including St. Nicholas Mission in Dover, DE, and Holy Trinity Church in Whaleyville, MD.

In recognition of his exemplary pastoral dedication and decades of selfless service, Father Stephen was awarded the right to wear the liturgical miter by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony during a hierarchical archpastoral visit, celebrated with deep joy by the entire Delaware parish family.

Charitable Action and Wartime Relief for Ukraine

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish has maintained an unwavering commitment to humanitarian relief. Through the Consistory’s Emergency Relief Fund, Father Stephen Hutnick and the Wilmington parish board organize frequent financial collections, purchase tactical first-aid kits and emergency trauma supplies, and dispatch direct humanitarian packages to hospital wards and civilian victims in war-torn regions of Ukraine.

The parish actively supports Ukrainian refugees arriving in northern Delaware, helping families secure housing, transportation, and community connections, while gathering every Sunday to offer heartfelt prayers for the defense and sovereign victory of Ukraine.

Chronological Milestones of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

Parish Information & Contacts