About

The Ukie Club

At 847 North Franklin Street stands the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association (UACA), an institution with a legacy spanning more than a century, affectionately referred to as the "Ukie Club." The Ukie’s commitment to civic engagement has included support for refugee resettlement efforts, voter registration drives, and language preservation initiatives. Please be specific when entering your location into the Maps app, as there are multiple Ukrainian social clubs in Philadelphia. The UACA is the oldest, continuously running Ukrainian club in the country. Our wedding will be held (weather permitting) on the lawn, and the reception in the Hall. Both the lawn entrance and the Hall entrance are near the parking lot. Yes, they have a parking lot! *Notes from the affianced regarding parking:* The Ukie is in the East Poplar neighborhood, which was one of the first areas selected for redevelopment under the notoriously racist 1949 Housing Act. It is a prototypical example of urban renewal "slum clearance": the demolition of single-family homes in a dense, poor neighborhood after the eviction/displacement of residents, with some housing replaced by substandard projects. Many of the Ukrainian immigrants who were evicted relocated to far Northeast Philadelphia, but continue to commute to the Ukie and the church across the street. In 1963, the Ukie purchased the entire block on which it sits. This acquisition was a form of reinvestment in the neighborhood by the club, creating a green space around the club that could be used for gatherings and sports amid the razed lots. The dearth of housing and commercial activity in the neighborhood ensures abundant street parking, in addition to the parking lot next to the Ukie building. The wedding ceremony will begin sharply at 5 PM, and the reception must conclude by 9 PM. *We plan to grab a drink after the reception at the members-only bar.* *Note from the affianced:* Member-only bars are not uncommon in Philadelphia because of something related to liquor laws. Local guests may be familiar with the RUBA Club (Russian-Ukrainian Boating Association), which accepts membership applications at the door for a nominal fee, or the Pen and Pencil, which offers full membership only to journalists but allows after-hours entry to restaurant workers with a pay stub. The UACA relies on member participation and dues to further its mission; membership is not merely a technical requirement for compliance with the liquor board. The UACA Board of Directors has graciously voted to allow membership applications from guests at our wedding, even those from outside the area who may never return. If you think there is a chance that you might want to grab that after-party drink with us, please apply for membership as soon as you can! Instructions will pop up when you RSVP.

The Venue

The Ukie Club: A Century of Ukrainian-American Identity in Philadelphia

Tucked quietly into the heart of North Philadelphia at 847 North Franklin Street stands an institution with a legacy that spans more than a century. Officially known as the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association (UACA), but affectionately referred to by locals as “The Ukie Club”, this building has served as a vibrant hub for culture, community, and continuity among Philadelphia’s Ukrainian-American population. Its modest exterior belies a deep and complex history, one interwoven with immigration, war, civic action, and resilience. The Ukie Club is not just a venue or a neighborhood curiosity; it is a living archive of heritage, a social nucleus for generations, and a reflection of the American immigrant experience.