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

Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Wilmington, Delaware, is the historic cradle and mother church of Ukrainian Orthodoxy in the First State. Located at 1406 Philadelphia Pike in North Wilmington (New Castle County), this venerable community belongs to the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). For decades, Sts. Peter and Paul has served as an enduring sanctuary of prayer, cultural fellowship, and dedicated humanitarian service across Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey.

Foundations in the First State and Mid-Atlantic Heritage

Ukrainian settlement in the Brandywine Valley of northern Delaware began in the early twentieth century, as immigrant families sought employment in Wilmington’s shipyards, leather tanneries, rail carriage works, and burgeoning chemical industries. Deeply devoted to their Eastern Christian patrimony, these pioneer families gathered for decades in private homes and leased halls before establishing their permanent church home on Philadelphia Pike.

The parish became a pivotal regional center for Ukrainian Orthodox identity along the Interstate 95 corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Throughout the twentieth century, the community welcomed successive generations of Ukrainian Americans, sponsored cultural events, and provided fellowship for post-World War II refugees escaping totalitarian oppression.

Sacred Architecture and Liturgical Appointments

The church at 1406 Philadelphia Pike is distinguished by its intimate, spiritually profound liturgical appointments:

• Hand-Carved Oak Iconostas: The holy chancel is crowned by a magnificent oak iconostas featuring delicate hand-carved openwork reliefs of grapevine tendrils, framing canonical icons of Christ the Pantocrator, the Holy Theotokos with the Christ Child, Archdeacon Stephen, and the Twelve Apostles.
• The Golden Mosaic Oranta: In the apse behind the holy altar shines a luminous gold mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary Oranta with outstretched arms in perpetual intercessory prayer for humanity.
• Celestial Vault & Murals: The chancel arch is painted in heavenly azure tones, adorned with murals of the Holy Spirit descending, surrounded by the Church Fathers and seraphim.
• Choir Belfry & Stained Glass: The upper choir loft features arched stained-glass windows depicting the Holy Cross and the Resurrection, alongside traditional manual bell ropes used to ring the festive carillon.

Pastoral Leadership of Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick

For more than three decades, the parish has flourished under the tireless spiritual guidance of Protopresbyter Stephen Hutnick. In July 2014, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony made an archpastoral visit to celebrate the parish feast day and officially elevated Father Stephen to the dignity of wearing the jeweled miter in recognition of his thirty years of devoted priestly service to the Church.

In addition to pastoring Sts. Peter and Paul, Father Stephen has extended his spiritual care to regional mission outposts, including Saint Nicholas Mission in Dover, Delaware, and Holy Trinity Mission in Whaleyville, Maryland, cementing his reputation as an indispensable archpastoral builder in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Humanitarian Solidarity and Relief for Ukraine

Following Russia’s brutal military assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish emerged as the epicenter of Delaware’s support for the Ukrainian nation. Father Stephen opened the sanctuary for daily prayer vigils and organized ecumenical services alongside Father Volodymyr Klanichka of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, drawing state and federal officials.

Under the slogan “Today, we are all Ukrainians,” Delaware government leaders raised the Ukrainian flag in Wilmington, while Sts. Peter and Paul Parish coordinated tons of emergency relief goods, trauma medical supplies, and humanitarian donations directly channeled through the Consistory of the UOC of the USA.

Chronological Milestones of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

Parish Information & Contacts