About Transfiguration of Our Lord [Ukrainian] · Denver, Colorado
Transfiguration of Our Lord is a Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Catholic parish in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood — the only Ukrainian-language church in the city. Founded in 1950 by displaced-persons immigrants who had arrived in Colorado after World War II, the parish moved in 1954 into a former Quaker meeting house that it converted into its present church. It belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Nicholas of Chicago and serves the Ukrainian Catholic faithful of the Denver metro with the Byzantine Divine Liturgy celebrated in Ukrainian and English. Now in its 75th anniversary year, the parish is led by Rev. Valeriy Kandyuk and continues to be a gathering point for Denver's Ukrainian diaspora, including recent arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine.
- Established
- 1950 (first Divine Liturgy on October 8, 1950; moved into current church in 1954; 75th anniversary celebrated in 2025)
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Valeriy Kandyuk (Father Valeriy Kandiyk)
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Nicholas of Chicago (geographically within the territory of the Roman Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver)
Why belong here
Transfiguration of Our Lord is the only Ukrainian-language Catholic church in Denver, making it a true home for Ukrainian Catholics and anyone drawn to the Byzantine liturgical tradition in Colorado. On Sundays the community prays the Rosary in Ukrainian at 10:00 a.m., followed by the bilingual (Ukrainian and English) Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m., with additional Divine Liturgies on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings — a rhythm that gives families and working parishioners regular opportunities to worship. The parish is a lively gathering point for both long-time Denver Ukrainian-Americans and recent arrivals, with roots in Plast scouting, UNWLA women's league, social events like picnics and dances, and a strong tradition of supporting Ukraine — including GoFundMe fundraising for Ukrainian military chaplains at Bishop Benedict's request. For anyone seeking authentic Ukrainian Catholic faith, tradition, and community in the Denver metro, this small but steadfast parish in Sunnyside welcomes them.
Mass times at Transfiguration of Our Lord [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before and after each Divine Liturgy
- On request
Parish History — 75 Years of Faith
The parish history page tells the full story of Transfiguration of Our Lord from its 1950 founding by Displaced Persons Act refugees to its 2025 milestone anniversary. The narrative follows the community through its first Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the 1954 move into the converted Quaker meeting house in Sunnyside, the waves of Ukrainian immigration, the 1988 millennium of Ukrainian Christianity celebration with Archbishop Stafford, the post-Soviet-era growth under Father Pavlo Babiak, the vibrant 2007–2018 era of Father Vasyl Hnatkiwsky, the loss of Father James Karepin, OP to Covid-19, and the 2021 entrusting of the parish to Father Valeriy Kandyuk.
Founding and the Displaced Persons Community
In 1948/49 Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the United States under the Displaced Persons Act settled mostly in established Ukrainian communities of the East and Midwest. Three families who landed in Denver had to coordinate by letter and telephone to find others in Colorado, then petition Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky of Philadelphia for a priest. He assigned Fr. Dmytro Blazejowsky from Omaha, Nebraska, who organized the community and led the first Ukrainian Divine Liturgy — on October 8, 1950, with thirteen families (37 people) gathered in St. Paul's Chapel at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
A Home of Our Own (1954)
Thanks to the generosity of Denver's Roman Catholic clergy and laity — who let the community worship at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph's Polish Church in Globeville — the parish purchased, renovated and in 1954 moved into a former Quaker meeting house in the Sunnyside neighborhood of north Denver. That converted building at 4118 Shoshone Street remains the parish church today.
Continuing the Legacy (2007 – Present)
Father Vasyl Hnatkiwsky was assigned pastor in 2007 and parish life was vibrant once again. When he left in 2018, Father James Karepin, OP assumed pastoral responsibilities; he served only three years before succumbing to Covid-19. Father Nicholas Kostyk arrived from Chicago to bridge the parish until September 2021, when Bishop Benedict entrusted the community to its present pastor, Father Valeriy Kandyuk, to continue the legacy of faith and tradition to a new generation.
Liturgy and Schedule
The parish celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy every Sunday, preceded by the Ukrainian Rosary, and three weekday mornings. Confession is available before and after every Divine Liturgy or by request, in keeping with the parish's commitment to be available to the faithful.
- Sunday: 10:00 am Rosary (Ukrainian); 10:30 am Divine Liturgy (Ukrainian and English)
- Tuesday: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
- Thursday: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
- Saturday: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
- Holy Days of Obligation: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
- Confession: before/after Divine Liturgy or on request
Community Life and Ministries
Community organizations described on the parish history page include the Ukrainian National Women's League of America branch, Plast (Ukrainian Scouting), Saturday Ukrainian-language classes for children, and social events such as picnics and dances. Father Stephen Chmilar, OSBM (1984) famously organized a bingo night, a Ukrainian American Club, and youth gatherings; the parish also supports Ukrainian military chaplains through a GoFundMe campaign led by Pastor Rev. Valeriy Kandyuk at Bishop Benedict's request. As one longtime parishioner told Denverite, 'we're always here and we're always open to everybody from Ukraine or from any other country if they wanna come and pray. We are a community here as well, not just a church.'
- UNWLA (Ukrainian National Women's League of America) local branch
- Plast — Ukrainian Scouting Organization for youth
- Saturday Ukrainian-language classes for children
- Ukrainian American Club (founded under Father Stephen Chmilar)
- Bingo nights and parish picnics/dances
- GoFundMe campaign for Ukrainian military chaplains
Clergy and Pastoral Succession
The parish has been served by a succession of pastors whose stories are retold on the parish history page. The current pastor, Rev. Valeriy Kandyuk, was entrusted to the parish in September 2021 by Bishop Benedict. The community also honors the memory of Father James Karepin, OP (who died of Covid-19) and Father Stephen Chmilar, OSBM (who went on to become the Ukrainian Bishop of Toronto).
Diocese and Eparchy
Transfiguration of Our Lord belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Nicholas of Chicago, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic diocese that covers much of the United States outside the East Coast. Geographically the parish sits within the territory of the Roman (Latin) Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver, which has been a friendly neighbor — welcoming the Ukrainian community to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the early years. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest of the 23 Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Pope of Rome, and its parishes use the Byzantine liturgical, theological, and canonical tradition.
Sacraments
The parish offers the full range of Byzantine-rite sacraments through its regular liturgical life and pastor. Confession is offered before and after every Divine Liturgy and by request; the Divine Liturgy itself is celebrated at the schedule above. Inquiries about Baptism, Marriage (including the Crowning), Chrismation, Holy Unction, and other sacraments are made through the pastor at the parish phone number.
- Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Mass) — Ukrainian and English
- Confession / Reconciliation — before/after Divine Liturgy or on request
- Baptism, Chrismation, Marriage (Crowning), Holy Unction — by arrangement with the pastor
Visit and Contact
The parish welcomes visitors for any of its scheduled Divine Liturgies or to pray for peace in Ukraine. It is located in the Sunnyside neighborhood of north Denver, and contact is by phone or through the parish website and Facebook page.
- Address: 4118 Shoshone Street, Denver, CO 80211
- Phone: (303) 433-2347
- Website: http://www.transfigurationdenver.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransfigurationDenver/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Dmytro Blazejowskyarrived ~1950, served through ~1958
Founding pastor; assigned by Bishop Constantine Bohachevsky of Philadelphia from Omaha, Nebraska; organized the parish and led the 1950 first Divine Liturgy; oversaw purchase and renovation of the Quaker meeting house that became the present church in 1954.
- Father Pavlo Small1958–
Came from Miami; presided over years of growth as more Ukrainian immigrants settled in Denver.
- Father Stephen Chmilar, OSBM1984–c. late 1980s/early 1990s
Came from Canada; engaged young people with a bingo night, Ukrainian American Club, and youth gatherings; purchased real estate for a future church and arranged Mount Olivet Cemetery plots for parishioners; concelebrated the 1988 millennium of Ukrainian Christianity with Archbishop Stafford; later became the Ukrainian Bishop of Toronto.
- Father Pavlo Babiak (with revolving visiting priests)after Father Steve, into 1990s–2000s
Shepherded the parish through the fourth wave of post-Soviet Ukrainian immigration after 1991.
- Father Vasyl Hnatkiwsky2007–2018
Assigned as pastor; restored vibrant parish life.
- Father James Karepin, OP2018–2021
Dominican priest; died from Covid-19 after about three years of service.
- Father Nicholas Kostykuntil September 2021
Arrived from Chicago to bridge the parish between Father James and Father Valeriy.
- Father Valeriy Kandyuk (Kandiyk)September 2021 – present
Current pastor; entrusted by Bishop Benedict to continue the work of his predecessors.