Faith, Family and Freedom: Traverse City’s Ukrainian Community

Jan. 1, 2016

Northern Michigan often appears homogeneous to outsiders and lifelong residents alike. Many are surprised to learn that a robust Ukrainian community is among the many distinct populations that call Traverse City home.

“They live here; they shop here; they go to our schools, our hospitals, but I don’t think most people in Traverse City know they’re here,” said lifelong northern Michigander Edward Richardson, who taught English to some of the area’s first Ukrainian immigrants.

What began with a handful of families searching for a better life shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union has today blossomed into a vibrant “community within a community,” as local photographer and piano instructor Dmitriy Chekhovskiy calls it. Chekhovskiy was one of the first Ukrainian families to emigrate to Traverse City.

“When they came there was no interpreters, nobody spoke their language,” said Chekhovskiy. “They had to literally use a dictionary to do anything.”

Though his parents spoke almost no English, thanks to already established Ukrainians and the support of local churches, the Chekhovskiys were able to prosper in their new hometown.

Chekhovskiy indicated there may be as many as 500 Ukrainians living in the area today, though it’s difficult to know for sure, as Traverse City and Grand Traverse County do not keep specific cultural and national origin data. Similarly, the Ukrainian consulate in Warren, Mich., said their data is inaccurate.

While the exact number of local Ukrainians is debatable, many welcome the cultural addition they provide to the area.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Richardson. “We need more diversity here in northern Michigan.”

Strong familial ties, religious tradition — there are now two Ukrainian churches in Traverse City — and the shared experience of starting over keeps the community together.

“The main thing that really binds the people is the language, but then, of course the culture because that’s what they know,” said Chekhovskiy.

OPPRESSION TO OPPORTUNITY

Though every family’s story is different, many Ukrainians emigrated from their homeland to escape the same injustice.

“The main reason was religious persecution,” said Pastor Vitaliy Pavlishin.

His family was part of an underground Pentecostal church near Kiev, a faith outlawed, like all religions, in the former Soviet Union. Pavlishin described holding services in secret, trying to avoid the ever-present eyes of KGB. His father was given a seven-year prison term for preaching.

Despite the dangers, Pavlishin followed in his father’s footsteps and became a minister. Seeing that his family’s prospects would always be compromised by their faith, Pavlishin decided to relocate his wife and children to the United States.

Though they did not have relatives in Traverse City, the Pavlishin family’s immigration was sponsored by the Traverse City Central United Methodist Church. This church, along with Bethlehem Lutheran and First Congregational, helped sponsor the early Ukrainian families, finding them affordable housing, employment and English language training.

Pavlishin and his family stayed first with a local ophthalmologist, then relocated to a trailer while they saved their money. Today, Pavlishin owns a house and property, an opportunity he may never have had in Ukraine.

Pavlishin’s successful integration, though arduous at first, appears common among local Ukrainian residents.

“Many will say ‘My English is so bad’ and you say ‘My God their English is better than mine,’” Richardson said.

Pavlishin has frequently opened his home to Ukrainian families who are also attempting to start anew in the area. Through his ministry, Pavlishin and others work to collect money and supplies to send to families still in Ukraine.

“We understand that not everyone is as lucky as we are here in this country,” said Pavlishin.

NEW CONFLICT, NEW START

Though the religious persecution of the Soviet era and the widespread financial instability following its collapse has largely passed, a new threat is spreading. Despite becoming a sovereign nation in 1991, Ukraine has endured increasing Russian military engagements since early 2014, a violation of international law that many fear could lead to a new Ukrainian exodus.

“We are thankful to God that we have come here,” said Elena Grechishkin. Elena, her husband Andrei and their two children fled the Ukraine and arrived in Traverse City last September.

With the help of Chekhovskiy’s translations, Elena and Andrei explained how fighting in nearby Luhansk — just 30 miles from the Russian border — spilled over into their community.

“There were explosions as I would drive from work,” said Andrei. Their neighbor's house was destroyed during a shelling. Prior to the fighting, his well-paying mining job had allowed his family to live comfortably and care for their disabled adult son.

As the conflict escalated, it became apparent their home was no longer safe. “People would come to our workplace with weapons and they would force us to go fight in this war,” Andrei said.

When their community was evacuated, the Grechishkin family was forced from the only home they had ever known. They first fled to western Ukraine to avoid the violence, however, the region’s extreme poverty made resettling nearly impossible. Eventually, they decided to rebuild their life in Traverse City, where Elena has family, including a local pastor.

Now Andrei works at Kohl’s department store and is learning English during his off hours. He hopes to find a better job once his language skills improve, but for now his family relies on help from relatives, their church and their community.

Despite having to rebuild, Andrei and Elena remain optimistic about their new lives in America and among the Ukrainian community of Traverse City.

“It’s a really good country; we are really glad we have ended up here from Ukraine,” said Elena. “There is a future for our children and that is the most important.”

“There is life here,” said Andrei. “I believe there is hope.”