About Us
Our Parish Story
The story of St. Vladimir Orthodox Church is the story of faith, sacrifice, and perseverance — of humble immigrants who carried their Orthodox heritage across an ocean and planted it in the heart of Trenton, New Jersey. For over a century, this parish has been a spiritual home for generations of faithful.
"The Church is heaven on earth, for in it dwells the heavenly God Himself."
— St. John of Kronstadt
October 1915
A Parish is Born
In October 1915, a group of about 30 Russian immigrants — mostly men — gathered in a building housing a branch of the Trenton Public Library on the corner of N. Clinton and Girard Avenues. They had come from Russia, Galicia, and Carpatho-Russia, seeking prosperity in a new country. Though they left their homelands behind, they carried with them their faith, their heritage, and their deep love for the Orthodox Church.
At that meeting, with Fr. Alexander Pantelejeff and Fr. John Kozitsky present, they resolved to organize a Russian Orthodox Catholic parish. The ruling Bishop was petitioned, and Fr. Alexander was assigned to the new community. He celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in a vacant church on the corner of Adeline and Hudson Streets — the first Orthodox Liturgy ever served in Trenton.
1916–1918
Building a Church with Their Own Hands
As word spread, more Orthodox believers joined the parish — including a sizeable group of Uniat Greek Catholics who returned to Orthodoxy. The growing congregation soon outgrew the borrowed church space, and the parishioners decided to build a church of their own.
In 1916, six lots were purchased on the corner of Grand and Stanton Streets — then a quiet, practically rural section of Trenton. With almost no money but boundless faith, the parishioners dug out the basement and foundation with their own hands, men and women working side by side. John Bergesen, a New York architect, designed a noble church in traditional Russian style, crowned with seven cupolas and crosses.
By August 1916 the exterior was complete. Before a large gathering of Orthodox believers from nearby cities, the church was consecrated in honor of St. Vladimir. The building was fully completed in 1917. In 1918, the parish was officially incorporated in the State of New Jersey and land was purchased in Hamilton Township for a parish cemetery.
1920s–1930s
Growing Through Difficult Years
The political upheavals in Russia during the early 1920s weighed heavily on the parishioners, and several pastors served briefly during this difficult period. But in 1926, Fr. Vladimir Lilikovich breathed new life into the parish. A parochial school was established, and in 1927 the Sisterhood of the Assumption of the Theotokos was organized — dedicated to upholding the Church, beautifying the interior, caring for the sick, and fostering the spiritual growth of the parish youth.
Under Fr. Stakhy Borichevsky, who arrived in 1932, the parish choir was reorganized and a Young Peoples Club was formed. The parish was steadily growing roots in the Trenton community.
1940s
A Rectory, a War, and New Beginnings
Until 1942, parish priests lived in rented homes. That year, starting on what was described as "a shoestring," the parishioners erected a two-story brick rectory next to the church. Parishioner Michael Tristan donated his services by drafting the building plans. With generous contributions, the rectory was quickly paid for.
During World War II, 36 young men of the parish served in the Armed Forces — five of whom paid the supreme sacrifice. In the years that followed, additional cemetery land was purchased, and by 1948 the final debts of the parish were fully paid and the church mortgage liquidated, freeing the community from a burden carried for many years.
1949–1956
Transformation: The Church Doubled and Adorned
Fr. Paul Shafran arrived in 1949, and the parish was rejuvenated. The community grew to about 160 families. A Sunday School enrolled around 50 children each year, and the Ladies' Altar Society rendered tireless service.
By 1951, the church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation — not only were the pews full on Sundays, but the vestibule overflowed and many had to stand outside. The wise decision of the majority prevailed: enlarge the church. Construction began in June 1952, and the first Divine Liturgy in the new, doubled sanctuary was celebrated on Christmas, January 7, 1953. Services never stopped during construction — the parishioners worshipped through the noise and dust.
The Sofronov frescoes, painted 1954–1956, transformed St. Vladimir's into a landmark of Byzantine sacred art.
With the enlargement came a new iconostasis, designed by R. Verhovskoy and G. Greiz of New York and built by the Ciukurescu Ecclesiastical Woodwork Company of Philadelphia. Then came the crowning achievement: in November 1954, the master iconographer Pimen Sofronov arrived in Trenton.
The Sofronov Frescoes
Trained in the ancient iconographic tradition as an apprentice to Gavriil Frolov, Pimen Sofronov was the finest Byzantine iconographer of his era. Working day and night for two years while rooming with local parishioners on Grand Street, he painted the magnificent frescoes that adorn our church to this day. In a stroke of creative genius, he positioned the electrical anchor for the chandelier on a book held by Christ in the dome painting — so that the light literally emerges from the Word of God. The completed iconography transformed St. Vladimir's into a landmark of Byzantine art in America.
1959–1969
Daria Hall, the Picnic Grounds, and Another Expansion
In 1959, parishioner Feodor Bonderchuk — a great benefactor who lived on the corner of Grand and Stanton Streets — deeded a corner plot of land adjacent to the church in memory of his daughter, Daria. A building fund drive followed, and Daria Hall was dedicated on November 22, 1964, with about 400 people in attendance.
In 1965, parishioner Peter Traskewicz donated over ten acres of land in Hamilton Square in memory of his wife, Nadja. This land became the parish picnic grounds, where parishioner John Chanczewsky built a large steel-and-concrete picnic pavilion largely by himself — donating all of his labor.
By 1969, the congregation had once again outgrown the church. The building was enlarged on both sides, doubling its size for the second time. Pews replaced the metal chairs in 1975, and additional icons and furnishings were installed over the following years.
1988–1999
Millennium, Restoration, and Renewal
In 1988, the Orthodox Church celebrated its Millennium — the 1,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. On October 30, 1988, St. Vladimir's held an elaborate observance with Archbishop Peter, visiting priests, and parishioners from other parishes, including a special Molieben service and a religious procession through the surrounding streets.
By the late 1990s, over 70 years of candle smoke and incense had darkened Sofronov's magnificent iconography. In 1998–1999, Sergei and Nadezhda Gavrosh of Philadelphia undertook a complete restoration — a painstaking, $65,000 project funded entirely by parish fundraising. Nadezhda also painted two large new icons near the ceiling: "Commemorating the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus" and "Synaxis of the Saints of North America." The church exterior was repointed, the cupolas repaired and repainted, and the crosses re-gilded in gold leaf.
2015–Present
A Living Parish for a New Century
In October 2025, St. Vladimir's celebrated its 110th anniversary with an archpastoral visit from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada. During the Divine Liturgy, parishioner Alen Basil Berck was ordained to the holy diaconate — a sign of the parish's continued vitality. A Synodal Gramota was presented in recognition of 110 years of faithful witness.
Today, under the pastoral care of Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskyi, St. Vladimir's continues to serve the faithful of Trenton and the surrounding communities. The parish welcomes cradle Orthodox and converts alike — a diverse and growing community united in worship, prayer, and love for one another.
Parish Life Today
See Our Parish in Photos
Beyond the history, our parish lives and breathes through feast day celebrations, baptisms, picnics, fellowship hours, and the everyday moments that make St. Vladimir's home. Visit our shared photo album to see the community in action.
Browse Our Photo Album
The Story Continues
From 30 immigrants gathered in a library to a thriving parish over a century later, the story of St. Vladimir's is a testament to the faithfulness of God and the perseverance of His people. As our founders built this church with their own hands, so we continue to build — with hope and faith, inspired by our patron St. Vladimir, and strengthened by the prayers of the saints.
We invite you to become part of this story.