St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, November 5, 2026
Photo: buildpochaev.ca
After nine years of waiting and praying for a church building of its own, Our Lady of Pochaev Orthodox Church in St. Catharines is asking the public to help it restore an 1880s church as its permanent home.
The ROCOR parish says it has long outgrown its current space. The 1880s church it’s restoring stands within a historic cemetery that’s still in use today. When work began, years of water damage, mold, and rodents had taken their toll, and much of the interior had to be stripped back before rebuilding could start, the parish writes.
Parishioners have given their time, skills, and labor. The building has been cleaned out, the damaged materials removed, and a new roof put on. A formal long-term lease protects the work and donations put into the building.
Photo: buildpochaev.ca
The parish’s goal is $325,000 ($234,000 USD) for the first three phases of the restoration, and each phase starts only once its funds are in place. So far, $31,875 ($22,950 USD) has been raised, about 10% of the goal, as of October 2026.
The first phase makes the church safe and usable. The demolition and new roof are done, and the electrical work, structural repairs, and gutters remain. The second phase would prepare the nave for worship, with heating, insulation, drywall, lighting, doors, and fire safety. The third would add a community space with washrooms, a basic kitchen, and room for meals, classes, and gatherings. A later phase would cover exterior work, including a possible belfry and cupola.
There are various ways to donate. More information is available at buildpochaev.ca.
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