Fr. Leonid Malkov, C.Ss.R.
The first church in Hafford was built in 1911 on the homestead of Mykhaylo Trefiak. This site still contains a small cemetery with the graves of the earliest settlers. The present church, constructed to replace the smaller original building, was completed in 1917. It stands on the eastern edge of the town and is dominated by a large dome, reflecting the needs of the growing community both within Hafford and in the surrounding region. The church was blessed by Blessed Bishop Nykyta Budka the year after its completion. In 1954, it was expanded and renovated. Josyf Cardinal Slipyj visited the parish in 1976 and blessed the newly built parish hall during his provincial tour.
The church is beautifully decorated by the artist Lypynsky, who painted it between 1923 and 1925, with additional paintings and decorations completed by Nick Leskowski in 1976.
Alongside All Saints in North Battleford, Holy Eucharist serves as the seat of the North Battleford & Hafford Pastoral District. Affiliated parishes of North Battleford include Alticane, Radisson, and Whitkow, while those of Hafford include Albertown, Orolow, Krydor, Speers, and Uhrynow.
The information presented here is drawn in part from the work of Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran, Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Saskatchewan, published in 1977. This monumental historical survey is available for purchase at the Musée Ukraina Museum for $20.00.