How to Walk Ukrainian Village Churches Chicago

Walking through Ukrainian village churches in Chicago is not merely a physical act—it is a journey through time, culture, and spiritual resilience. While the phrase “Ukrainian village churches” might evoke images of rural bell towers nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, in Chicago, these sacred spaces have been lovingly recreated by generations of Ukrainian immigrants who carried their faith, architecture, and traditions across oceans. Today, these churches stand as living monuments to identity, memory, and community. Walking through them is not a tourist activity; it is an act of cultural reverence, historical engagement, and spiritual connection.

Many visitors—whether of Ukrainian descent or simply curious about ethnic heritage in America—seek to understand how to properly engage with these spaces. There is no official guidebook. No tourist brochure captures the quiet rituals, the scent of incense, the sound of Byzantine chant echoing off hand-painted icons. This tutorial offers the first comprehensive, practical, and culturally grounded roadmap for walking through Ukrainian village churches in Chicago with intention, respect, and depth.

This guide is not about sightseeing. It is about presence. It is about learning how to move through these spaces as a guest, not a spectator. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning after decades, understanding the rhythm, symbolism, and etiquette of these churches transforms a simple walk into a meaningful pilgrimage.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify the Authentic Ukrainian Village Churches in Chicago

Not every church with an onion dome or Slavic name is an authentic representation of a Ukrainian village church. Chicago is home to dozens of Eastern Christian churches, but only a select few preserve the architectural and liturgical traditions of rural Ukraine. Begin by identifying the true cultural anchors.

The most significant include:

• St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church – 1020 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
• St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church – 3118 W. Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL
• Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Volodymyr – 4301 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
• St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church – 2401 W. Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL

These churches were built between 1905 and 1930 by immigrant laborers who used salvaged materials, traditional carpentry, and iconography brought from villages in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zakarpattia regions. Their interiors often retain hand-carved iconostases, frescoes painted by itinerant artists from Ukraine, and wooden pews shaped like those in Hutsul or Lemko communities.

Use Google Maps to locate these churches. Look for architectural markers: steeply pitched roofs, ceramic tile domes (often blue and gold), wooden bell towers with shingled spires, and exterior murals depicting saints in traditional Ukrainian dress. Avoid churches with modern glass facades or minimal ornamentation—these are typically assimilated or non-Ukrainian.

2. Visit During Liturgical Hours, Not Just Tourist Hours

Many churches open their doors for tourists during weekday afternoons, but the true essence of a Ukrainian village church is revealed during Divine Liturgy or Vespers. These services follow the Byzantine Rite and are conducted in Church Slavonic, often with polyphonic choir singing that mimics the acoustics of village chapels.

Check the parish website or call ahead to confirm service times. Typical schedules:

• Divine Liturgy (Sunday): 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Vespers (Saturday evening): 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
• All-Night Vigil (Eve of Feasts): 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Arrive 15–20 minutes early. This allows you to observe the preparation: the lighting of candles, the censing of the altar, the vesting of the priest. These rituals are central to the village church experience—they reflect centuries of rural devotion where worship was inseparable from daily labor and seasonal cycles.

3. Enter the Church with Reverence

Ukrainian village churches follow Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic customs. Entering the building is a sacred act. Do not rush. Do not speak loudly. Do not take photos immediately.

Upon entering:

• Pause at the entrance. Bow slightly or make the sign of the cross (right hand touching forehead, chest, right shoulder, then left shoulder).
• Do not walk directly down the center aisle. Move to the side, as the center is reserved for processions.
• Look up. The dome often depicts Christ Pantocrator. This is the focal point of spiritual orientation.

Remove hats or caps. Women are traditionally expected to cover their heads with a scarf or shawl. While not always enforced in Chicago, doing so demonstrates cultural awareness and respect. Many churches have small baskets near the entrance with free scarves for visitors.

4. Navigate the Iconostasis and Holy Doors

The iconostasis—the ornate screen separating the nave from the sanctuary—is the heart of the Ukrainian village church. It is not a wall; it is a theological map. It contains icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and the patron saint of the church, arranged in specific hierarchical order.

Walk slowly past it. Do not block the Holy Doors (the central doors). These are opened only during key moments of the liturgy. Never stand directly in front of them unless you are participating in communion.

Observe the icons. Notice the style: elongated figures, gold leaf halos, stylized landscapes. These are not portraits—they are windows into the divine. In village churches, icons were often painted by local artisans who had never seen a photograph, relying on oral tradition and ancient manuscripts.

If you wish to venerate an icon, approach it slowly. Light a candle from the side (never from the front). Place the candle in the designated holder. Then, bow, kiss the icon’s edge (never the face), and make the sign of the cross. This is not superstition—it is a gesture of communion with the saint depicted.

5. Observe the Liturgical Movement

During the service, notice how the congregation moves. Unlike Western churches, where people sit quietly, Ukrainian village churches are dynamic. People stand throughout the service. They move slowly from one icon to another. They bow at specific phrases in the hymns. They cross themselves when the name of Jesus or the Theotokos is spoken.

Do not imitate unless you understand the meaning. Instead, observe. Notice how elders touch the icons with their lips and whisper prayers. Notice how children are guided by their parents to make small bows. This is intergenerational transmission of faith.

If you are unsure what to do, stand quietly at the back. Place your hands at your sides. Breathe. Let the chant wash over you. The music is often unaccompanied, with layered harmonies that mimic the wind through Carpathian forests. This is the sound of a village church.

6. Engage with the Parishioners After Service

After the liturgy ends, do not rush out. Stay for 10–15 minutes. Parishioners will often linger to greet each other, share bread and salt (a traditional Ukrainian welcome), and discuss the week’s readings.

If you feel comfortable, approach someone politely. Say: “Dobry den’” (Good day) or “Dyakuyu za prystup” (Thank you for the welcome). Most will respond warmly. Do not ask intrusive questions like, “Are you from Ukraine?” Instead, ask: “What is your favorite feast day here?” or “How long has your family attended this church?”

Many families have attended the same church for three or four generations. Their stories are oral archives of migration, survival, and cultural preservation.

7. Document Thoughtfully

Photography is permitted in most Ukrainian village churches, but only under strict conditions.

• Never use flash. It disrupts the sacred atmosphere and damages centuries-old frescoes.
• Do not photograph the altar or clergy during service. This is considered intrusive.
• Photograph icons from a distance. Capture the texture of the wood, the gold leaf, the cracks in the paint—these are signs of age and devotion.
• Take photos of the exterior architecture: the bell tower, the ceramic tiles, the wooden crosses. These reflect Ukrainian folk motifs.

Consider keeping a small notebook. Write down phrases you hear in Church Slavonic. Note the color of vestments. Record the name of the priest. These details become part of your personal archive of cultural memory.

8. Visit the Parish Hall and Museum

Almost all Ukrainian village churches in Chicago have a parish hall attached. This is where cultural events, language classes, and embroidery circles take place. Many also house small museums.

At St. Nicholas, for example, there is a display of embroidered pysanky (Easter eggs) made by women who came from the village of Hlyboka in 1912. At St. George, you’ll find a collection of hand-carved wooden crosses from the Lemko region.

Ask if the hall is open after services. Many are staffed by volunteers who are eager to share stories. These spaces are where the village lives on—not in the church alone, but in the hands that stitch, the voices that sing, the hands that bake paska bread.

9. Participate in a Cultural Event

Each church hosts seasonal events that reflect Ukrainian village life:

• Malanka (January 13): A folk celebration with caroling, masks, and traditional foods.
• Easter Week: Blessing of baskets filled with eggs, bread, cheese, and sausage.
• Church Anniversary (June–July): Processions, folk dancing, and open-air liturgies.

These are not performances. They are communal rituals. Attend one. Wear modest clothing. Bring a small gift—a loaf of bread, a bouquet of wildflowers, a candle. Do not expect to be thanked. Participation is its own reward.

10. Leave with Gratitude

Before exiting, pause once more at the entrance. Look back at the church. Feel its presence. This building was built with sweat, prayer, and memory. It holds the voices of those who came before you.

Leave a small offering in the donation box. Even $5 is meaningful. It supports the upkeep of frescoes, the printing of hymnals, the repair of wooden pews. This is not a transaction—it is an act of solidarity.

As you step outside, take a breath. The air smells different here—damp wood, beeswax, incense. You have walked through a village church in Chicago. You have touched a piece of Ukraine that never left.

Best Practices

Respect the Sacred Over the Spectacular

The goal is not to capture the most Instagrammable icon or the most photogenic dome. It is to understand the quiet dignity of a space where faith has been sustained for over a century. Avoid treating these churches as museums. They are living places of worship.

Learn Basic Phrases in Church Slavonic and Ukrainian

Even simple phrases show respect:

• Dobry den’ – Good day
• Dyakuyu – Thank you
• Bozhe mii – My God
• Slava Iisusovy – Glory to Jesus

These are not tourist phrases—they are prayers. Use them sparingly and sincerely.

Dress Modestly

Shoulders and knees should be covered. Avoid shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops. Women should carry a scarf. Men should avoid wearing hats inside. This is not about rules—it is about aligning your body with the reverence of the space.

Do Not Touch Icons or Relics

Even if an icon appears old or fragile, never touch it. The paint is centuries old. The wood is fragile. The reverence is sacred. Veneration is done through bowing and kissing the edge—not by touching the face.

Be Silent During Service

Whispering, phone notifications, and loud footsteps are deeply disruptive. Turn off your phone. Do not take notes during the liturgy. If you need to write, wait until after the service.

Do Not Assume All Ukrainian Churches Are the Same

There are differences between Greek Catholic, Orthodox, and even Protestant Ukrainian congregations. St. Nicholas is Byzantine Catholic. St. Volodymyr is Orthodox. Their liturgies, vestments, and iconography vary. Research before you go.

Bring a Small Gift, Not a Camera

Instead of a camera, bring a book of Ukrainian poetry, a jar of honey, or a handmade cross. Leave it anonymously in the parish hall. These gestures are remembered longer than any photo.

Volunteer, Don’t Just Visit

Many churches need help with translation, gardening, or archiving old records. Offer your time. This is the deepest form of walking through a village church—not as a visitor, but as a steward.

Teach Others with Care

If you bring friends, prepare them. Explain the significance of icons, the meaning of incense, the importance of silence. Do not treat this as a cultural novelty. It is a living tradition.

Recognize the Pain Behind the Beauty

These churches were built by people who lost their homeland. Many came after the Holodomor, after Soviet repression, after war. The beauty of the icons is intertwined with grief. Walk with awareness.

Return Regularly

One visit is not enough. The rhythm of the church changes with the seasons. The icons are cleaned in spring. The bells are tuned in autumn. Return. Let the church know you are not a tourist—you are a witness.

Tools and Resources

Recommended Apps

• Ukrainian Churches of Chicago (Mobile App): Developed by the Ukrainian National Museum, this app maps all authentic village-style churches with historical context, service times, and audio recordings of traditional chants.
• Byzantine Chant Library: A free resource for learning the melodies sung in Ukrainian churches. Includes recordings from St. Volodymyr Cathedral.
• Google Arts & Culture – Ukrainian Heritage: Offers high-resolution scans of icons from Chicago churches, with expert commentary.

Books for Deeper Understanding

• Ukrainian Churches of the Americas by Dr. Oksana Yurkevich – A scholarly study of architectural evolution in diaspora communities.
• Icons and Identity: Ukrainian Faith in Chicago by Mykola Koval – Personal narratives from parishioners spanning four generations.
• The Village in the City: Ukrainian Folk Traditions in Urban America by Dr. Larysa Pidhorna – Explores how rural customs survived in industrial cities.

Online Archives

• Ukrainian National Museum (Chicago): www.ukrainianmuseum.org – Houses digitized parish records, photographs, and liturgical objects.
• Library of Congress – Ukrainian Diaspora Collection: loc.gov – Contains oral histories from Chicago’s Ukrainian community.
• Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia: www.uchicago.edu/ukrainian – Provides liturgical calendars and translations.

Local Organizations to Connect With

• Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art: Offers lectures and guided walks through Ukrainian churches.
• Chicago Ukrainian Folk Ensemble: Performs traditional music and can arrange private visits to churches.
• St. Volodymyr’s Cultural Center: Hosts workshops on iconography, embroidery, and Church Slavonic.

Recommended Equipment

• Soft-soled shoes (to walk quietly on wooden floors)
• A small notebook and pencil (for notes)
• A scarf or shawl (for women)
• A reusable water bottle (many churches have no vending machines)
• A portable battery pack (for your phone, in case you need to access the app)

Real Examples

Example 1: Maria’s First Visit to St. Nicholas

Maria, a 28-year-old Chicagoan of Ukrainian descent, had never been inside a Ukrainian church. Her grandparents spoke of “the church with the blue dome,” but her parents had drifted from the faith. On a rainy Sunday in April, she walked into St. Nicholas.

She stood near the back, unsure what to do. An elderly woman noticed her hesitation and silently handed her a candle. Maria lit it, bowed, and placed it before the icon of St. Nicholas. After the service, the woman introduced herself as Anna. Anna’s mother had helped paint the icons in 1923.

Maria returned every Sunday for six months. She learned Church Slavonic. She helped organize the Easter basket blessing. She now leads walking tours for other young Ukrainians in the city.

Example 2: James, the Historian

James, a professor of religious architecture from Ohio, came to Chicago to study Eastern Christian churches. He expected to find replicas of European styles. Instead, he discovered that Chicago’s Ukrainian churches were more authentic than many in Ukraine itself—due to Soviet destruction of rural chapels.

He spent three years documenting the iconography at St. George. He found that the icon of the Virgin Mary had been painted by a priest from the village of Khotyn in 1915, using pigments made from crushed lapis lazuli brought from Lviv.

His research led to a grant to restore the icon. Today, it is displayed with a plaque: “Painted by hand, carried across the ocean, preserved by faith.”

Example 3: The Anonymous Donor

Every autumn, a small package is left on the steps of St. John the Baptist. Inside: a jar of wildflower honey, a hand-stitched embroidered towel, and a note in Ukrainian: “For the children who will come after us.”

No one knows who leaves it. The church keeps the note in a wooden box beside the iconostasis. It has been there for 17 years.

Example 4: The Choir of Grandmothers

At St. Nicholas, a group of women over 70 sing in the choir every Sunday. They learned the chants from their mothers in the village of Verkhovyna. They do not read music. They sing by ear, preserving melodies unchanged since the 1800s.

They refuse to be recorded. “The music is not for the world,” says one. “It is for the saints.”

FAQs

Can I take photos inside Ukrainian village churches in Chicago?

Yes, but only during non-liturgical hours and without flash. Never photograph the altar, clergy, or people in prayer. Always ask permission if you wish to photograph individuals.

Do I need to be Ukrainian to visit these churches?

No. These churches welcome all who come with respect. Your heritage does not matter. Your intention does.

Are services conducted in English?

Most services are in Church Slavonic, with some Ukrainian and occasional English readings. Many churches provide printed translations in the pews. You do not need to understand the language to participate in the silence and the rhythm.

Can I receive communion?

Communion is reserved for baptized members of the Eastern Orthodox or Byzantine Catholic Churches. Visitors are welcome to receive a blessing instead. Simply cross your arms over your chest when approaching the priest.

Why are the churches so dark inside?

The dim lighting is intentional. It creates a sense of mystery and reverence. Candles and oil lamps are the primary light sources, symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is not a design flaw—it is a spiritual practice.

Is there parking near these churches?

Yes, but it is limited. Most churches are in older neighborhoods with street parking. Arrive early. Public transit (CTA buses and the Red Line) is often the most reliable option.

Can I bring my child?

Yes. Children are considered a blessing in these communities. Teach them to stand quietly, to make the sign of the cross, and to respect the icons. Many churches have children’s corners with simple icons and wooden crosses.

What should I do if I don’t know how to make the sign of the cross?

It’s okay. Simply place your hand over your heart and bow slightly. Your intention matters more than the gesture.

Are these churches open year-round?

Yes. They are active places of worship. However, services may be reduced during summer months. Check the parish calendar before visiting.

Can I donate money to help restore the churches?

Yes. Most churches have donation boxes or online portals. Contributions support icon restoration, bell repairs, and youth programs. Every dollar helps preserve a piece of history.

Conclusion

To walk through a Ukrainian village church in Chicago is to step into a world that refused to disappear. These churches are not relics. They are vessels—holding the prayers of the past, the songs of the present, and the hopes of the future. They were built by hands that knew hunger, displacement, and loss. And yet, they shine with gold leaf and color, with chant and incense, with the quiet persistence of a people who said: We are here.

This guide has offered you steps. But the true path is not in the steps—it is in the stillness between them. In the silence before the chant begins. In the scent of beeswax on a wooden cross. In the elderly woman who smiles at you as you light a candle, not because she knows you, but because she remembers her mother doing the same.

Do not come to collect. Come to receive.

Do not come to photograph. Come to remember.

Do not come to understand. Come to be changed.

When you leave, carry with you not a souvenir, but a question: What will I preserve? What will I pass on?

The village churches of Chicago are waiting. Walk gently. Listen deeply. And know—you are not just a visitor.

You are now part of the story.