Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Maplewood (New Jersey)

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Maplewood, New Jersey, is a cornerstone religious, educational, and cultural sanctuary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). Located at 650–652 Irvington Avenue in Essex County, the parish represents over a century of continuous prayer, community life, and youth ministry, celebrated as the birthplace of the national Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) and an active epicenter of Ukrainian traditions in northern New Jersey.

Centennial Heritage: From Newark to Suburban Maplewood (1918–1974)

Holy Ascension Parish was founded in 1918 in the industrial city of Newark, New Jersey, during the historic era of Ukraine’s initial struggle for national independence. The original church on Morton Street in Newark held its dedication service celebrated by Archbishop Germanos of the Syrian Orthodox Church, as there was no Ukrainian Orthodox bishop in the United States at the time. The first pastor was Reverend Michael Shustakovich. In its early decades, the flourishing parish grew to over 700 families, boasting a famed 60-member marching band and a magnificent liturgical choir.

In 1937, under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Klodnycky, the parish acquired property on 19th Street in Newark. On April 25, 1937, a triumphant procession carried the sacred Tabernacle (Kivot)—brought directly from Ukraine in 1918—to the new Newark church building. The parish still cherishes this sacred heritage in its Maplewood home.

In the 1960s, assistant pastor Very Reverend Volodymyr Bukata envisioned a nationwide youth movement to preserve Orthodox faith and Ukrainian identity among young people. Here at Holy Ascension, Father Bukata founded the Ukrainian Orthodox League of the USA (UOL), adopting the famous motto: “Dedicated to our church, Devoted to its youth.”

As parishioners migrated to suburban Essex County, the congregation purchased a scenic property at 652 Irvington Avenue in Maplewood in 1967. Under the leadership of Father John Nakonachny (who served as pastor from 1972 to 1987), construction of the new church was completed, and on Easter Sunday, April 24, 1974, the first Divine Liturgy was joyously celebrated in Maplewood.

Sacred Architecture and Stained Glass Artistry

Holy Ascension Church in Maplewood combines contemporary American ecclesiastical architecture with traditional Ukrainian artistic accents:

• Golden Domes and Brickwork: The exterior brick sanctuary is crowned by traditional golden onion cupolas (incorporating the original main dome and side domes preserved from the historic Newark church).
• Stained Glass Windows of Ukrainian Saints: The nave is illuminated by brilliant, full-height stained glass windows crafted by master glass artisans. The windows portray the Baptism of Kyivan Rus, Saint Volodymyr the Great, Saint Olha, Saint Andrew the First-Called, and Christ the Good Shepherd.
• Gilded Iconostas and Sanctuary: The altar sanctuary features a hand-carved gilded iconostas draped in traditional embroidered Ukrainian rushnyky. Processional gonfalons (khoruhvy) and liturgical banners frame the solea.
• Wood-Paneled Choir Balcony: The nave features warm natural oak pews and wainscoting, overlooked by a high wooden choir loft that provides rich acoustics for the parish choir.

Parish Life, Maplewood Ukrainian Day, and Sisterhood

Under the devoted pastorate of Very Reverend Father Oleh Hucul (who served from 1994 to 2018) and current pastor Father Sviatoslav Hot, Holy Ascension has flourished as an open, family-centered parish family. In 2018, the community commemorated its 100th Centennial Anniversary with an all-hierarchical weekend celebration led by Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel.

Each spring, the church hosts the beloved “Maplewood Ukrainian Day” festival on its grounds at 650–652 Irvington Avenue. Drawing hundreds of guests from Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn, and across New Jersey, the festival showcases Ukrainian choral singing, traditional bandura music, folk dance performances, authentic varenyky and holubtsi, and folk craft exhibits.

Humanitarian Solidarity and War Relief for Ukraine

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Holy Ascension Parish has stood at the forefront of local humanitarian action in Essex County. Partnering with regional diaspora organizations and the Consistory of the UOC of the USA, Father Sviatoslav Hot and parishioners have packed and dispatched emergency medical supplies, tactical trauma gauze, warming heaters, and direct monetary aid to civilian victims and displaced children in Ukraine.

Chronological Milestones of Holy Ascension Parish

Parish Information & Contacts