Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Northampton, Pennsylvania

Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church (also known historically as the Holy Assumption Ukrainian Orthodox Church) is a historic spiritual anchor of the Ukrainian-American community in Northampton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1920–1921 by Western Ukrainian immigrants who settled in the Lehigh Valley’s world-famous cement belt, the parish has offered more than a century of uninterrupted Orthodox liturgical worship, cultural preservation, and benevolent service. Situated at 1301 Newport Avenue, the church stands as a handsome red-brick sanctuary crowned with a soaring bell tower and a radiant golden onion cupola surmounted by the traditional Ukrainian three-bar cross.

Origins in the Lehigh Valley Cement Belt

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Borough of Northampton and the surrounding Lehigh Valley became known internationally as the “Cement Capital of the World,” home to the massive Atlas Portland Cement Company and allied manufacturing works. Ukrainian immigrants from Western Ukraine—specifically the regions of Podillia, Zbarazh, and the Lemko lands—arrived seeking employment in the quarrying, cement, garment, and cigar industries.

In 1920, pioneering Ukrainian families gathered on the second floor of Onuschak’s Hall on Main Street to establish an Orthodox parish of their own. Led by deep devotion and collective self-sacrifice, the community purchased a plot of land on Newport Avenue for $1,400. Construction commenced promptly, and on September 25, 1921, the newly completed church was dedicated as the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Virgin and blessed by its first pastor, Very Rev. Leon Kushnir. On January 9, 1922, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted a legal charter incorporating the parish as the Independent Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Virgin. Shortly thereafter, parishioner Wasyl Koczenacz purchased dedicated cemetery grounds on Main Street, deeding the property to the church for one dollar.

Father Kushnir established the first Ukrainian parochial school, trained the church choir, and organized regular theatrical performances to raise funds to retire the initial $18,000 construction debt. In 1928, the women of the parish founded the Sisterhood of Faith, Hope, and Love and their mother Sophia, providing indispensable financial and maternal leadership. During the hardships of the Great Depression in the 1930s, under the guidance of Very Rev. Dr. Volodymyr Klodnycky, the faithful supplied volunteer manual labor to erect a permanent parish rectory for $1,200. In 1945, the community celebrated a historic double triumph: the conclusion of World War II and the official burning of the parish mortgage.

Architecture, Iconography & Sacred Art

The architecture of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church is characterized by its dignified American red-brick construction, steep gabled roofs, and traditional Eastern Christian ecclesiastical styling. The front facade is defined by a central belfry tower rising above a wide dual exterior stone staircase. High above the bell louvers, the tower transitions into an octagonal drum surmounted by an exquisitely gilded onion cupola that catches the sunlight across the borough.

Upon entering the nave, the sanctuary unfolds in radiant gold and royal blue hues. The liturgical focal point is a hand-carved, ornate Ukrainian iconostasis adorned with traditional embroidered Ukrainian rushnyky (ritual towels). The icons of Christ the Pantocrator, the Holy Theotokos, Saint Nicholas, the Archangels Gabriel and Michael, and the Twelve Great Feasts guide the prayer of the assembly. Directly above the Royal Doors, a monumental arch depicts the Heavenly Banquet, bordered by murals of the Evangelists. At the foot of the solea stands a ceremonial hammered-silver water sanctification font, used during the Great Feast of Theophany and parish blessing services.

Pastoral Succession & Ukrainian Orthodox League Legacy

Throughout its history, Northampton has been blessed with exemplary pastoral leadership. In 1950, Very Rev. Stephen Hankavich was appointed as the parish’s first American-born pastor. From 1961 until his untimely passing in 1976, Very Rev. Andrew Dworakivsky led transformative renovations, including the installation of the current iconostas and the acquisition of adjacent parish property. Under the direction of Walter Dworakivsky, the St. Mary Parish Choir gained national acclaim, recording professional albums of the Divine Liturgy in both Ukrainian and English.

The beloved Very Rev. Bazyl Zawierucha subsequently served the parish with distinguished scholarship and pastoral gentleness for nearly three decades until his repose. Today, the community is led by Rev. Fr. Oleg Kravchenko and Protodeacon Mikhail Sawarynski, who continue this noble heritage with energetic pastoral dedication.

Assumption Parish has also served as a powerhouse within the Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) of the USA. Both the Senior and Junior Northampton UOL chapters have produced numerous national leaders and successfully hosted three National UOL Conventions in 1982, 2005, and 2015, welcoming hundreds of Orthodox youth and delegates from across the country to Northampton.

Centennial Jubilee & Modern Humanitarian Aid

In September 2022, the parish celebrated its historic 101st Anniversary Centennial Jubilee with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, joined by alumni and seminarians from Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary. In recognition of more than a century of Christian devotion, Centennial Medals were bestowed upon parish elders and lay leaders.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Assumption Parish has maintained an unyielding stance of Christian witness, solidarity, and philanthropic relief:

• “Pray for Ukraine” Community Witness: A prominent blue-and-yellow “Pray for Ukraine” banner is displayed on the church’s entrance staircase on Newport Avenue, reminding the entire Northampton community of the struggle for Ukrainian freedom and sovereignty.
• Humanitarian & Medical Relief: The parish has collected thousands of dollars in emergency funds, medical trauma kits, clothing, and humanitarian supplies channeled directly through the Consistory Relief Fund of the UOC of the USA.
• Spiritual Support for Ukrainian Families: Fr. Oleg Kravchenko regularly conducts Molebens for Ukraine and provides pastoral care, counseling, and integration support to Ukrainian refugees finding sanctuary in the Lehigh Valley.

Parish Contact Details & Liturgical Schedule