The church of St. Michael, Sich-Krydor, stands as a testament to the Ukrainian settlers who established their community in the area beginning in 1914. Originally part of the St. Demetrius parish in Krydor, these settlers later formed their own parish and began construction of their church between 1934 and 1937. Located on a hilly two-acre site eight miles north of Krydor, the church is a wooden cruciform structure featuring a striking octagonal central dome, which defines its unique character both inside and out.
The church is oriented east-west, with the main entrance situated on the western side through a vestibule. Above the vestibule is a choir loft accessible by a stairway from within the church. The eastern wing houses the sanctuary with the main altar and adjoining sacristies that open onto the church grounds.
Unlike traditional churches of its time, St. Michael's does not have pews for all attendees. Instead, it provides choir stalls located on either side of the tetrapod, reserved for cantors, choirs, and other church attendants. Illumination within the church is solely by candlelight, creating a solemn atmosphere complemented by heating from a wood-burning heater.
Over the years, the parish faced fluctuations in membership. In 1941, it counted 14 adult members with 36 children. By 1961, the community had grown to 30 members, but by 1967, this number decreased to 35 individuals. Subsequently, the parish experienced a decline as older members passed away and younger generations moved away in search of better job opportunities and more fertile lands.
Named after the fortified Cossack settlements of the Dnieper River known as "Sich," the church of St. Michael, Krydor Sich, remains a reminder of the Ukrainian settlers' enduring legacy in the Saskatchewan prairies.
Update: 2018 – Sich-Krydor, was Dissolved on October 2016, and was demolished in 2018.
