Welcome to the Basilian Fathers Museum

...from the past, into the present, for the future...


The Basilian Fathers Museum was founded in the 1950s, but its roots go back much further—to a French Canadian priest named Father Josaphat Jean. 

In 1910 Father Jean went to Ukraine to study the Ukrainian language and the Eastern rite. Inspired by Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyi, the charismatic founder of the National Museum in L’viv, Father Jean began to collect a wide variety of religious and ethnographic artifacts. These eventually found a home at the museum in Mundare.

When contacts with Ukraine were cut off by the Communist regime in the 1940s, the Basilian Fathers recognized the need to preserve the cultural as well as the religious heritage of Ukrainians in Canada.

In 1953 the Basilians founded a Ukrainian museum in the town of Mundare. Here, Father Jean’s valuable lifetime collection of religious artifacts found a permanent home alongside unique collections of Ukrainian Easter eggs, embroidery, weaving, pioneer tools and folk artifacts.

The museum also houses a private library collection and archives (not open to the public).

In 1991 the museum’s collections were moved to the current museum building—a beautiful new structure which combines elements of Ukrainian folk architecture and Byzantine church style. The new museum took the name Basilian Fathers Museum.

The museum:

• commemorates the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada
• serves as a memorial to the early pioneers
• marks the Basilian Fathers’ continued dedication to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Ukrainian Canadians

Latest Blogs (10)

  • Event

    The exhibit "Moved by the Spirit" has closed. Still available in our gift shop is the book: "The Garden Way Of The Cross". Fo...

  • Luncheon and Bake Sale

    Basilian Fathers Museum invites you to attend its Annual Luncheon held in conjunction with the Hospital Auxiliary Bake Sale & Light...

  • Opening of New Display

    Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare Alberta September 19 - November 5, 2014 Reception: Friday, September 26, 7-9pm Moved by the Spirit Artist...

  • Display

    Now on display at the Basilian Fathers Museum, is an exhibit of photos from the life of Josyf Cardinal Slipyj, including his visits to Canada in 19...

  • Unveiling of a Plaque

    The Basilian Fathers Museum in conjunction with the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Parish and the Town of Mundare, invites you to at...

  • Gift shop

    As we prepare for Easter, the Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare has received a large selection of hand-painted pysanky, basket covers, and butter ...

  • Basilian Fathers Museum Annual Luncheon and Auxiliary Bake Sale

    Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare, AB invites you to attend its Annual Luncheon held in conjunction with the Hospital Auxiliary Bake Sale & Ligh...

  • Interesting comment on OPENING OF NEW DISPLAY
  • OPENING OF NEW DISPLAY

      The Basilian Fathers Museum invites you to attend the opening of its new display, Old Printed Books, on Saturday, October 19, 2013.  5...

  • 2011 Parks Canada Recognition of the Arrival of the Basilian Fathers

    In 2011, Parks Canada recognized the arrival of the Basilian Fathers as being of national historic and cultural significance. The installation...

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Latest Photos (10)

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This is a FREE Website!

This site contributes to Town of Mundare.