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Trip to past opened path to the future

19/ 8/2006

AGE-old pageantry and a colourful ceremony steeped in tradition marked a special day for some of the town's new citizens.

On Sunday 29 July 1956 Rochdale's first Ukrainian Catholic Church was consecrated.

More than 800 people crowded in to see the ceremony performed by Archbishop I Buchko, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic community in Western Europe.

He was assisted by Monsignor A Malynowskyj, the Vicar General of Ukrainian Churches in England, the Very Rev M Marusyn, the Archbishop's secretary and other clergy.

The new church was in William Street and had previously been a lecture hall for the Castlemere Methodist Church before it amalgamated with the Wesley Church in Castlemere Street.

After the consecration the Archbishop celebrated High Mass and paid tribute to all the people who had worked so hard to transform an old building into a beautiful church.

Rochdale's Ukrainians had been joined by fellow countrymen and women living in Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn and Oldham and many of the children had brightened the day by wearing national costume.

In the evening the Archbishop stayed as the choir and a party of children gave a show of national dance and songs.