BY VICKI GILHULA
St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Baker Street, the one with the distinctive five-domed roof, is one of the city’s architectural gems, but most citizens have probably never been inside to see the beautiful Byzantine iconography around the altar.
The church is one of the places on the Open Doors Greater Sudbury tour this Friday and Saturday.
Like most of the buildings on the Open Doors tour, it is not officially designated as a heritage building. If the church were to close because of dwindling membership — the church does not have a full-time priest — it could become a victim of the wrecking ball. Currently there are only half a dozen buildings in Greater Sudbury that have this designation. It does not prevent a building from being torn down and turned into a parking lot, but it does slow down the process.
Organizers of the Open Doors tour, under the guidance of the city’s museum curator Jim Fortin, hope to educate citizens about their heritage buildings as well. Doors Open Greater Sudbury is free of charge, and is part of the city’s 125th anniversary celebration.
The Centre franco-ontarien de folklore on Dollard Road off Lasalle Boulevard, is one stop people shouldn’t miss. The centre is a leader in heritage development and conservation of Franco-Ontarian history.
Ctizens are also invited to visit the Ukrainian Seniors’ Centre; Anderson Farm Museum in Lively, the Art Gallery of Sudbury (the former Bell Mansion) on John Street; Beaver Lake Sports and Cultural Club, the Caruso Club; Chelmsford Public Library; the Copper Cliff Club; Copper Cliff Museum, Financial Decisions Inc., the former Barry residence in Minnow Lake; Finlandia Village on Fourth Avenue; the Flour Mill Museum; Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine; Minnow Lake Place; Northern Ontario Railroad and Heritage Museum in Capreol; N’Swakamok Friendship Centre, Parker House Inn; Paroisse St. Joseph; Penage Road Community Centre; Red Oak Villa, formerly St. Joseph’s Hospital; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76; Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue; Ste-Anne-des-pins Church; St-Jean-de-Brebeuf Church; St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church; St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church; St. Patrick’s Parish; and Theatre Cambrian’s new home on Eyre Street. Most of the buildings participating in this year’s event will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
Vicki Gilhula is the managing editor of Laurentian Media Magazine Group. Laurentian has published a 228-page magazine celebrating the city’s history. Look for free copies during the Open Doors Sudbury Tour.
