In 1903, Ukrainian families settled the Sirko area located in the south-eastern corner of the Stuartburn colony. Although not rocky, the land was sandy, covered by spruce, pine and some poplar trees. As a result, most families made a modest living from mixed farming and selling cordwood.

St. Elias was built in 1909. Manoly Khalaturnyk provided the simple design which is reminiscent of the small two-roomed, white-washed cottages in which the settlers lived. The church was constructed of logs and only three small crosses on the high-pitched, overhanging roof identify it as such. It was built on the traditional east/west axis with the sanctuary at the eastern end and displays another characteristic of Bukovinian churches - the door at the side near the end rather than at the end.

Although the exterior looks simple enough, the interior is divided into the three traditional parts; the narthex, nave and sanctuary. The interior is painted light blue, has a 'walled' iconastas with hung icons on the front wall of the nave, a choir loft and, of course, a chandelier. On the site are a log bell tower and cemetery.

For many years, the church was served by Russian Orthodox priests from the United States, however, in 1935, the parishioners joined the Ukrainian Greek-Orthodox Church. A new church was constructed nearby in 1950 and St. Elias was recently restored as an historic site.