Saskatchewan Gen Web Project - SGW - Biography The Very Reverend Philip Ruh, O.M.I.

The Very Reverend Philip Ruh, O.M.I.

Priest , Architect and Builder of about 40 Ukrainain Catholic Churches

Philip Roux began his life in Bickenholtz, Alsace-Lorraine (territory that changed hands between France and Germany) at the beginning of August; 6 Aug 1883. The Very Reverend Philip Ruh, O.M.I. lived till the ripe old age of 79 years old passing on at St Boniface, Man 24 Oct 1962. He is considered to be neither Ukrainian nor Byzantine, but rather as a Belgian Oblate who later gave himself to the byzantine rite. As a missionary he spent time learning the language and culture to serve in Canada specifically serve any of the Ukrainian Catholic settlements north of the North Saskatchewan River, which included communities in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan,. He was ordained In the Ukraine, learned the Ukrainian language there so that he could serve in Canada. He later was assigned to Manitoba, where he oversaw the construction of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. During this period he received the designation of Monseigneur. ²

Ruh designed his churches in the Byzantine trandition or early Kievan style of Eastern Christian church architectur featuring seven cupolas. Many of his churches designed in Canada began a new style known as Prairie Cathedral adopting Roman, Renaissance, Tuscan and American Colonial styles to mark their grandeur. He took into consideration the size of the estimated congregation, community, erection costs, building materials available, and heating costs. He devoted himself to his task, placing his devotion into his architecture. "If I build it, it must be big, otherwise, I do not start at all, were his words" ⁶

Many of his churches have been preserved as heritgae sites such as Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Cook's Creek, MB, Church of the Resurrection, Dauphin, MB, and Saints Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, City of St. Catherines Ontario.⁵ Saints Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in the province of Ontario was construtcted by Rev Phillip Ruh, a German priest, architect and builder. Recently preserved as a heritage site, it was originally designed in the style as Byzantine Revival, consisting of domes, stone arches and decorative brickwork. Most of the time labour was supplied by local volunteer Ukrainians supported by a few carpenters. Constuction and support of community churches continued on, even through the difficult times of the depression of the 1930's. He is credited with the building of over forty churches, and several grottos across Canada. ¹

"Phillip Ruh brought pride and energy to the Ukrainian community. He had the VISION to get things going and the talents to get it done. His designs are beautiful and the classic Ukrainian designs have made the peasant labourers in Saskatchewan proud of their heritage. It was a bit of home to have the ONION shaped Domes in their community when everybody else had only log cabins and shacks to live in themselves. Phillip was a fine architect, builder and Priest for the Ukrainian Catholic Chuch. ^{Tue, 19 Dec 2006 from "Terry J" To Julia Adamson Subject Phillip Ruh Web page}

St George's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Pleasant Hill Wikipedia Image from Wikicommons
List of some of the forty churches in Canada built between 1913 and 1962 by Philip Ruh.

Basilian monastery, Mundare, Alberta³
Church of the Blessed Mary Virgin, or Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Church of the Immaculate Conception or the Cathedral of the Prairies, Cook's Creek, Manitoba
Girls School, Canora, Saskatchewan
Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, Cook's Creek, Manitoba
Holy Ascension, Winnipegosis, Manitoba
Holy Trinity Church, Pine Lake Alberta
Mountain Road Church, St. Mary's, Manitoba
Protection of the Virgin Mary, Eldorena, Alberta
St. Basil the Great Church, Regina, Saskatchewan; year 1928
St. Cyril Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Catherines, Ontario
St George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, Edmonton, Alberta³
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Dolyny / Menzie, Manitoba
St. Onuphrius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Smoky Lake, Alberta
St. Paraskevia Ukrainian Catholic Church, Smoky Lake, Alberta
Skaro Shrine (Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes), Skaro, Alberta
Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Winnipegosis, Manitoba Canadian National historic site
Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, Dauphin, Manitoba

References:

Notes:
Sample entries of Manitoba architecture - Church of the Immaculate Conception Cook's Creek, MB Father Phillip Ruh

Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg ArchiNews / ArchiNouvelles

Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg ArchiNews / ArchiNouvelles

An Introduction to Manitoba Church Architecture

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Cook's Creek, Manitoba.

Civilisation.ca - CONTENTS: ONE CHURCH. SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED.

P-86 AHistoric Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection

Touring Ukrainian Ottawa 4: ST ONUPHRIUS UKRAINIAN-CATHOLIC CHURCH

Manitoba History: Historical Tour: Dauphin, Manitoba

P-23 Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception

Multicultural Canada

Bland information request result Phillip Ruh

Untitled Dauphin, Church of the Resurrection

Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes, Cook's Creek, Manitoba, Canada

LAMONT COUNTY LAMONT COUNTY

Archeparchy of Winnipeg Museum and Archives Philip Ruh, O.M.I.

Manitoba's Parkland

Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church History

wcr:09/27/2004 -- Ted Fitzgerald - Mary, Protectress - - October 1

History - Church in Canada - UCEE

Introduction to Manitoba Church Architecture

List of national historic sites of Canada

Manitoba History: An Interview with Mr. Emil Michaels

St. Onufry's - off to Ottawa"

St. Paraskevia Ukrainian Catholic Church

Magazine article: Canadian Geographic 07-01-2004 RUH REVIVAL Byline: Pendgracs, Doreen Volume: 124 Number: 4 ISSN: 07062168 Publication Date: 07-01-2004 Page: 40 Section: Discovery Type: Periodical Language: English HISTORIC SITES TO MANY UKRAINIAN CATHOLICS

St George's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

St George's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church