Rev. Joseph Zelechivsky

Rev. Joseph Zelechivsky [Йосиф Желехівський], (b. January 6, 1890, in the village of Borynia, Lviv, Ukraine; d. November 13, 1980, in Providence, RI). One of the first priests and founders of the UOC of the USA. Fr. Zelechivsky was born in the village of Borynia, Lviv oblast, Ukraine on January 6, 1890. He came to America in October 1912 and was ordained to the priesthood in Chicago in 1919. He served Ukrainian Orthodox parishes in Kansas City, KS (1920-1924), Ukraina, ND (1924-1927), Trenton, NJ (1927-1928), Millville, NJ (1928-1929), Boston, MA (1929-1936), Pittsburgh, PA (1936-1941), Johnson City, NY (1941-1944), Providence and Manville, RI (1944-1962). Wherever he went, he organized performing groups for the purpose of staging concerts, plays, and musicals. He often collaborated with the composer Michael Hayvoronsky. His family members likewise were involved in the arts. Daughter Irene was the church choir director in Johnson City, NY (St. John, 1941), and son Myroslav directed in Pittsburgh (St. Vladimir, 1936), Chicago (Boyan Choral Society at St. Vladimir Church, 1951), and elsewhere. Fr. Joseph passed away on November 13, 1980, and is buried at St. John’s Parish Cemetery in Johnson City, NY.

1920-1924: Kansas City, KS. 

1924-1927: Ukraina (now Belfield), ND.

1927-1928: Trenton, NJ (Holy Trinity).

1928-1929: Millville, NJ (SS. Peter and Paul) .

1929-1936: Boston, MA (Holy Trinity). 

1936-1941: Pittsburgh, PA (St. Vladimir) 

1941-1944: Johnson City, NY (St. John the Baptist) 

1944-1962: Providence and Manville, RI (St. John; St. Stephen)