Вітаємо! Welcome!
Communities are not built with just concrete and steel. They are forged with the hearts and hopes of each person who calls them home.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is a leader in developing the destiny of Ukrainian Canadians. It assists immigrants relocating to Calgary, facilitates communication, and represents Ukrainian Canadians to the various levels of government.
Throughout the year, the Calgary branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress hosts rallies in support of Ukraine. These events are an opportunity for the community to come together. We can show our support by waving flags, sharing messages of hope, unity, and resilience. The Urban Explorer has handed out hundreds of Ukrainian flags at these initiatives since the war began. We are proud to support organizations like this.
On August 24th, 2025, this community gathered outside City Hall. Learn more about this iconic building and its history at Sandstone City Legacy.
The flag-raising ceremony marked the 34th anniversary of Ukrainian independence. It was both a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing sacrifices behind the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty
On June 29th, 2025, the gracefully arching steel sculpture of the “Galleria Trees” provided a striking backdrop. Towering 62 metres over Stephen Avenue, the 10 steep white trunks support slotted overhead canopies echoing with Ukrainian songs.
In this moment, the “Trees” are more than wind mitigation and modern design . They symbolize newcomers, like Ukraine’s diaspora and refugees fleeing war. They take root and grow, contributing strength and beauty to the city’s collective canopy.
This engineered resilience parallels Ukraine’s steadfast defence and the determination of refugees building new lives.
Newcomers to Calgary can check out our guides to Explore Calgary. To learn more about the foundation story of the National Historic District, where these rallies took place. Click on Behind Stephen Avenue.
Ukrainian Cultural Landmarks in Calgary
The first Ukrainian church in Calgary was St. Stephen’s Mission, a Ukrainian Catholic church established in 1912. It was initially located in St. James Hall (a Roman Catholic Church) before eventually moving to its current location and being renamed St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church in 1957.
St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church was organized in 1928, with the first Divine Liturgy held in a private home. It later moved to a rented hall and eventually began planning for its own building. Today, it is a prominent fixture with distinctive copper domes and a large rose window. It stands on the slope of a promontory overlooking downtown Calgary from across the Bow River.
The congregation’s original building stood on the site from 1938-85, although it was damaged by fire in 1976. The building’s domed cruciform plan, iconostasis (altar screen), hand-painted icons, and other features have symbolic value.
These features are an expression of Ukrainian tradition and the Orthodox faith. The principal dome symbolizes Jesus Christ, while the four smaller domes represent the four evangelists. The centre’s Ukrainian library is also one of the largest outside Ukraine.
Heading East, situated at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail, is the Holodomor Memorial. It commemorates the Ukrainian famine-genocide and recognizes the internment of Ukrainians during World War I.
The Bridgeland-Riverside district is significant as it was an important centre of Ukrainian settlement. It played a key role in community life in early twentieth-century Calgary.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church was built from 1955-59. It was the second purpose-built Ukrainian Catholic church in Calgary. It is an icon of resilience after a long period of persecution through the two World Wars.
The church is significant as a landmark building. It is notable for its prominent siting on a bluff overlooking downtown Calgary. It is also recognized for its unique design.
It features a distinctive Eastern European style inspired by early Byzantine architecture. First arising in the 4th to 11th centuries in Constantinople. It was revived in ecclesiastical buildings in Eastern Europe in the 1800s.
Kitty corner from the church is Ukrainian Pioneer Park. This green space is a testament to the early settlers in the area. In 1991, a monument was placed dedicated to celebrating a century of Ukrainian settlement. A second was installed in 2023. This was to acknowledge Canada’s internment of more than 8,000 European immigrants. This internment occurred between 1914 and 1920 when the country invoked the War Measures Act.
Visiting these sites by bike can be easy. The City of Calgary maintains one of the largest networks of pathways in North America. This makes the city walkable and bike-friendly. It provides a great opportunity to enjoy public art, heritage buildings, and green spaces. Explore the Trans Canada Trail – RiverWalk | Centre Street Bridge. Or try Biking Mohkinstsis | The Elbow River– Where Calgary Comes Together.
Credit: Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources
The Urban Explorer 