A BRIEF HISTORY OF

HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In 1915 with the blessing of the late Metropolitan Alexander and the generous gift of ten lots by a real estate firm. Holy Trinity Church began. Founded by Russian immigrants, the first church was located in north Detroit at the intersection of Goddard and Meade. Its construction cost $25,000. The late Rev. Nicholas Godikoff (Goodrich) served as pastor for the first eight years.

In 1923, the late Metropolitan Platon assigned the late V. Rev. Averky Bondarchuk as pastor. A school/hall was built, a church school was started. and a parish home was added during the years at 12900 Goddard.

In 1933, as the membership grew. an addition was built onto the church and a new Iconostas was blessed. Various church organizations, such as the “R” Club, the Sisterhood, and the Brotherhood, were also instituted at this time. Additionally, a bell tower was built in the 1940’s.

However, after World War II, the expanding parish created a need for an even larger facility. So, in 1949, fifty-five lots on East Eight Mile Road between Anglin and Harned Streets in Detroit were purchased. Church bonds financed this project. The growing membership also created a need for two services: one in Slavonic and one in English. So, an assistant Pastor was added for English services.

Ground breaking for the new facilities was held on July 31, 1955. Construction began on the new church and rectory on August 22, 1955. Finally, in April of 1959, the structures were completed at the cost of $300,000. The first service was held on Pascha May 3, 1959.

The late V. Rev. Bondarchuk retired after 47 years as pastor in December of 1970. During the following two months, the Rev. Father Manchuk served the parish by appointment of Archbishop John. The V. Rev. Father Sam Sura served until July of 1972 when the V. Rev. Father Andrew Woronovich became the new Pastor.

Under Father Woronovich, more improvements were made. A new Iconostas and altar were blessed and consecrated by Metropolitan Ireney. This ceremony included the placement of a relic of St. Herman of Alaska inside the altar.

Father Woronovich served Holy Trinity for twenty-five years until his retirement in July of 1997. The V. Rev. George Breyan then served as pastor for two years. Father Lev Kopistiansky, who was assigned by Bishop Job in July of 1999, served the parish until 2024. Our current Rector, Father John York, was assigned by Archbishop Daniel in 2024. Charged with seeing the parish into its 11th decade, Father John aims to make Holy Trinity a beacon of Orthodox Christianity in Detroit - a source of hope, prayer, and hospitality for the Metro area in an uncertain world.

Other priests who have served at different times over the years include the Rev. Vitaly Bahanovich, the Rev. Basil Butchko, the V. Rev. Walter Diachenko, the V. Rev. Stephen Rusiniak, the R. Rev. Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak. and the Rev. John Washchek. 

Throughout these last 109 years and with the many changes which have occurred, Holy Trinity Church continues to pray that God will continue to bless us, make our parish a place of spiritual enlightenment, a place of spiritual repose, and a source of spiritual strength. We also ask that our love for Him and one another keep growing to allow us to continue to come together to do good works. Finally, we ask that we continue to go forward successfully, as we grow in wisdom, knowledge and insight.