This cemetery is shared by two parishes, the Holy Redeemer Ukrainian Catholic Parish and the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish. It is very nicely kept and in a quiet spot.

The cemetery holds the graves of many of Roblin's early pioneers, mostly of Ukrainian descent, and more often, Ukrainian born.

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The history of Holy Redeemer Church in Roblin is very closely connected with St. Vladimir's College or with the Redemptorist Fathers College as it was once called. Many people still confuse the church and the school. This in a way is understandable. The legal name of the rectory which is the home of the staff of the church and the school is "The Ukrainian Catholic Mission of the Most Holy Redeemer". In the early years, people simply referred to the building just north of Roblin as "the Mission."

Holy Redeemer Chapel, located inside the original three-storey building served as the parish church for the faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Faith in Roblin and District and also as a daily chapel for the college students.

The Redemptorist Fathers moved into Roblin, August of 1941. On Ukrainian Christmas (Jan. 7) of 1942, the first services were held in the newly built chapel. Some 50 people from the area attended.

The superior, pastor and priests taught the residential students and helped out in district parishes such as St. Michael's, Merridale, Shell River, Zelena, Shortdale, Petlura, Riding Park, Grandview, Russell, Verigan, Runnymede and Calder.

The first recorded baptism in the Holy Redeemer Chapel was on February 1, 1942; the first funeral taking place from this chapel was that of Paul Kowalski on March 8, 1942; and the very first marriage ceremony was that of William Ratushny and Helen Peteleski on May 2, 1942.

(Source: Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984, pp 221ff, pp250f [1984; Adapted])

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A new parish to become known as Sacred Heart Church found its roots in the community in 1943. A handful of hardy parishioners held Masses and prayed the Rosary sometimes in the college, but mostly in different homes. Father Healy was the first priest, and the parishioners drove him to different homes with horses. The parish was so poor in those days that Father Healy hardly had enough "to buy shoe laces." So in order to be able to stay he taught at the college which helped take care of his living expenses.

During 1949 it was decided to purchase a small building in Merridale, which would be moved to Roblin and used as the first Church. The building was moved in December, 1949 by Mike Klemetski and helpers, to the site on No. 83 highway where the building still stands. Moving day was very cold (about 45 degrees below zero Farenheit), but the movers were not discouraged and the job was done.

The first Mass was said in this new Church in January, 1950. The first funeral was that of Mrs. Frank Klemecki in the fall of 1950, and the first wedding was that of John and Sophie Ostrowski, also in the fall of 1950.

During the construction of the church, Peter Chyz was the only paid carpenter, with all other labor volunteered by the parishioners. At this point it would be hazardous to start mentioning names since so many people have played a role over the years in the building of the church and development of our parish. But to mention a few as we reminisce, we can associate the late Frank Baranowskiwith time — keeping and finding labor; Jack Beerman, Mrs. Milcharek and Mrs. Hojnocki Sr. With rectory painting; Olga Menzul (Klemecki) and Stella Ostrowski Jr. with church painting; Jack Beerman and helpers with floor tiling; and Sam Kozak with benches. There were many cash donations as well.

(Source: Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984, pp 224f, pp250f [1984; Adapted])

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Established in 1945.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society)

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD13-09-26-28-W1 (The Municipality's website gives: Lot 2 Plan 44303)

In the Rural Municipality of Roblin

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As noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 2000 is told in the volume "Shell River Municipality Century One - 1884-1984", especially on the cited pages, with more details to be found in the related later volume entitled "Roblin and Rural Districts Family Histories - Volumes I, II, and III".

Free digital versions of the first and of Volume 3 of the second as well as and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0599), transcribed by a member or members in 1991 and updated in 1995. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

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Additionally, the volume "Ukrainian Catholic Churches of Winnipeg Archeparchy", also freely available online via the U of Manitoba Digital Archives, provides information about the parish and those in the surrounding area. That one book is from Volume IV in the set entitled "History of Ukrainian Catholic Churches in Canada".

As well, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Manitoba Branch) centralizes, curates and makes available extensive records from various groups related to the communities established by the families of Ukrainian descent who settled lived in, died in, or contributed to the story of Manitoba.