Вітаємо! Welcome!
Communities are not built with concrete and steel alone—they are shaped by the hearts, hopes, and stories of the people who call them home.
In Calgary, the Ukrainian community is a powerful example of this spirit. Organizations like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress play a vital role in supporting newcomers, strengthening cultural identity, and advocating on behalf of Ukrainian Canadians at all levels of government. From helping new arrivals settle into life in Canada to fostering connection and belonging, their work continues to shape the city’s social fabric.
Throughout the year, the Calgary branch hosts rallies and gatherings in support of Ukraine—moments where community members and allies come together in solidarity. These events are filled with blue-and-yellow flags, voices of hope, and a shared commitment to resilience. Since the beginning of the war, The Urban Explorer has proudly contributed by distributing hundreds of Ukrainian flags at these gatherings.
Standing Together in Calgary
On August 24, 2025—Ukraine’s Independence Day—the community gathered outside Calgary City Hall to mark the 34th anniversary of independence. The flag-raising ceremony was both a celebration and a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made in the ongoing fight for sovereignty.
Learn more about the iconic sandstone City Hall and its history at Sandstone City Legacy.
Earlier that summer, on June 29, 2025, another powerful gathering took place beneath the striking Galleria Trees along Stephen Avenue. The soaring steel structures—ten white trunks rising 62 metres—formed a symbolic canopy over the crowd as Ukrainian songs echoed through the space.
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. Just as these structures are built to endure, so too are the individuals and families rebuilding their lives in a new land.
If you’re new to Calgary, we invite you to explore the city through our curated guides and discover the places where history, culture, and community intersect. Check out our guides to Explore Calgary. To learn more about the foundation story, where these rallies took place. Click on Behind Stephen Avenue to learn more about this National Historic District.
Ukrainian Cultural Landmarks in Calgary
Calgary’s Ukrainian heritage is deeply woven into the city’s landscape, with landmarks that tell stories of faith, perseverance, and community.
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. What began in a shared space has grown into a lasting symbol of faith and cultural continuity.
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, plus other features all 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. Inside, sacred art and one of the largest Ukrainian libraries outside Ukraine preserve cultural and spiritual traditions.
Heading East, at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Edmonton Trail, stands the Holodomor Memorial. This site commemorates the victims of the Holodomor—the famine-genocide—and acknowledges the internment of Ukrainians in Canada during the First World War.
The Bridgeland-Riverside district, once a hub of early Ukrainian settlement in the early twentieth century, remains a place of historical and cultural importance.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, built between 1955 and 1959, stands as a testament to resilience after a long period of persecution through the two World Wars.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the city, its design draws inspiration from Byzantine architecture, connecting Calgary to centuries-old Eastern European traditions.
Its unique design is 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.
Nearby, Ukrainian Pioneer Park honours generations of settlers. In 1991, a monument was placed to celebrate a century of Ukrainian settlement. A second was installed in 2023 to acknowledge Canada’s internment of more than 8,000 European immigrants between 1914 and 1920, when the country invoked the War Measures Act.
Explore and Connect
Many of these landmarks are easily accessible via Calgary’s extensive pathway network—one of the largest in North America. Whether by bike or on foot, exploring these spaces offers a meaningful way to experience the city’s cultural diversity, public art, and natural beauty.
Explore using our self-guides: 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 