About Saint Basil [Ukrainian] · Chesapeake City, Maryland
Saint Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Catholic parish in Chesapeake City, Maryland, founded in 1920 by Ukrainian immigrants who settled along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. It is one of the oldest Ukrainian Catholic communities in the United States, established with the encouragement of the first Ukrainian Catholic bishop in America, Archbishop Soter Stephen Ortynsky, OSBM. The parish belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, is staffed by Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka, and worships in the Byzantine liturgical tradition. It remains the spiritual and cultural heart of a small but enduring Ukrainian heritage community in Cecil County.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Saint Basil the Great
- Rector
- Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia (located within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington)
Why belong here
St. Basil's is one of the foundational Ukrainian Catholic parishes in the United States, established in 1920 by pioneering immigrant families along the C&D Canal in Chesapeake City — and its descendants still make up much of the congregation. Worshippers here pray the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in the Ukrainian Catholic tradition, surrounded by a small, tight-knit parish community that has sustained itself for more than a century. It is a place where Ukrainian heritage, language, and faith are actively preserved and passed on, with a pastor (Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka) who continues the long line of priests, bishops, and Sisters of Saint Basil the Great the parish has given to the Church.
Mass times at Saint Basil [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Divine Liturgy
Parish History
St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chesapeake City, Maryland, was founded in 1920 by Ukrainian immigrant families who had begun settling on land in Cecil County acquired around 1911 by Bishop Soter Stephen Ortynsky, OSBM. The lot was donated by the Wasylczuk family — Paul Wasylczuk gave the land on August 26, 1918 — and the present (original) church was built by parishioner carpenters and opened for worship about 1920. For its first decade the community was served by visiting priests; in 1930 Father Stephan Chehansky became the first resident pastor.
- Founded 1920
- Land donated by Paul Wasylczuk, Aug. 26, 1918
- First resident pastor: Rev. Stephan Chehansky (1930)
- Colonization scheme of Bishop Soter Stephen Ortynsky, OSBM
Centennial Jubilee (2021)
The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday, October 24, 2021, having postponed the original October 2020 plans due to the pandemic. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Andriy Rabiy of Philadelphia, Bishop Emeritus Basil H. Losten, OSFS pastor (1993–1998) Rev. William R. Gore, OSFS, and current pastor Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka. A centennial banquet followed at Shaeffer's Canal House and featured a DVD compilation of old 8mm footage from the 1940s–1960s.
- October 24, 2021 celebration
- Principally celebrated by Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy
- Bishop Losten honored as native son on his 50th episcopal anniversary
- Banquet at Shaeffer's Canal House, North Chesapeake City
Religious Vocations from the Parish
In its century of history, St. Basil's has produced two priests and two religious sisters — a remarkable legacy for a small parish. The two men who answered the call to the priesthood were the late Rev. Stephen Hotra and Bishop Basil H. Losten, who served as Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford and Bishop Emeritus. The two women from the parish, Anne and Sophia Arkatin, entered the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great as Sister M. Bernarda and Sister M. Tharsilla.
- Rev. Stephen Hotra
- Bishop Basil H. Losten (Bishop Emeritus, Stamford)
- Sister M. Bernarda, SSB (Anne Arkatin)
- Sister M. Tharsilla, SSB (Sophia Arkatin)
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently served by Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka as pastor. Fr. Klanichka was recognized at the 2021 centennial for his 'leadership and determination' in stewarding the celebration and the parish's continued life. Telephone inquiries to the parish are routed through the Archeparchy of Philadelphia's administrative offices at (302) 762-5511.
- Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka, Pastor
- Parish administered via the Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Liturgical Schedule & Sacraments
Worship at St. Basil's follows the Byzantine (Ukrainian) liturgical tradition. The main weekly Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Saturday — at 4:00 p.m. during winter months and at 5:00 p.m. during summer (Daylight Savings) months. Confessions are heard before the Divine Liturgy. The parish is located within the geographic territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington but belongs ecclesially to the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
- Saturday Divine Liturgy, 4:00 pm (Winter)
- Saturday Divine Liturgy, 5:00 pm (Summer / Daylight Savings)
- Confession before Divine Liturgy
- Byzantine (Ukrainian) liturgical rite
Ukrainian Heritage & Cultural Roots
St. Basil's was one of the early Ukrainian Catholic parishes in the United States, founded in an era when Ukrainian immigrants were establishing communities throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The Cecil County historical record notes that these industrious immigrants worked their parcels alongside the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal and 'imported their traditions to the community' — a strong cultural and religious heritage that local historians say 'remains in this corner of the State today.'
- Founded as part of Ukrainian Catholic colonization of Cecil County
- Parishioners worked on the C&D Canal expansion in the 1920s
- Continues as a Ukrainian heritage parish in 21st century
Diocesan Affiliation
Although St. Basil's is physically located in Maryland within the territorial Diocese of Wilmington (Latin Church), as a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish it is a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Parish records, communications ([email protected]), and administration are handled through the Archeparchy.
- Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
- Geographically within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington
- Contact email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Basil Petriwskycirca 1918–1920
Visiting priest who directed construction of the church.
- Rev. Stephan Chehansky1930–
First resident pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Stephen Hotra
One of two priests ordained from St. Basil's parish.
- Bishop Basil H. Losten
Native son and vocation of St. Basil's; later Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford; Bishop Emeritus as of 2021.
- Rev. William R. Gore, OSFS1993–1998
Former pastor; assisted at the 2021 centennial Divine Liturgy.
- Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka
Current pastor; led the 2021 centennial celebration.