During the early years of the twentieth century, the federal government encouraged people from Europe to settle in Western Canada. Thus, a large number of people from Romania settled in the Wood Mountain, Elm Springs and Flintoff areas southwest of Assiniboia. When the settlements became established, the pioneers built Romanian Orthodox churches. The St. Peter and St. Paul Romanian Orthodox Church created in the Flintoft area in 1911 is one of the oldest churches in the province.
Romanian homesteaders in the Wood Mountain region began working on an Orthodox church from the mid-1920s. The parish was organized and incorporated in 1929. The Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church was constructed from 1928-1929. Upon completion, the church was consecrated on August 6, 1929 by Bishop Arsenie. The parish also established an Orthodox cemetery south of Wood Mountain in 1937. A museum commemorating the Romanian settlers is part of the Wood Mountain Stampede and Rodeo Ranch Museum in Wood Mountain Regional Park.
The Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church had regular services with local priests until 1962. Two of the church’s long serving priests were Fr. Erina and Fr. Oncescu. After 1962, the Holy Transfiguration Parish was served by priests from other communities. Fr. D. Diaconescu from Kayville attended the parish from 1964 until 1983. After 1986, the parish was served by priests from various communities, including Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Regina. Thus, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy became increasingly infrequent. Nevertheless, services continued to be held in Wood Mountain throughout the years. At this time, the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church is the only church in the Wood Mountain area to hold services.
The Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church celebrates its Hram or Patronal Festival on or near August 6, which is the feast day of the Transfiguration of Christ. The remembrance of Hram this year will be on August 10 – a special day, since this is the church’s 90th celebration.
