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Rev. Nichifor
1911
Southern Saskatchewan

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Chapter Five

Orthodox Churches in South Central Saskatchewan

Romanian Homesteaders arrived in south-central Saskatchewan circa 1906, by far the largest concentration outside of Regina.

They immigrated for the same reasons other groups did. They were looking for a better life in Canada, and they found it. Many came from one town, Radauti, in Bucovina. These groups from Europe were of the Orthodox Faith. They became members of the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Archdiocese in America and Canada.

They settled in the areas of Wood Mountain, Kayville and Assiniboia, Saskatchewan.

Photo of Prestul Dionisie Nechifer

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Ardill Ukranian Orthodox Church
1912
Ardill, Saskatchewan

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Ardill Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Located on the SW 21-11-28-W2nd in the R.M. of Lake Johnson. Likely built shortly after the arrival of the Polish, Russian and Ukrainian immigrants about 1910.

It was built along the north-south road. The structure was finished with cedar shingles on the walls and roof. A page wire fence surrounded the church yard.

No available records at this time but it is known that a wedding took place there as late as 1931.

It was dismantled later and the lumber used to build a farm building and that has since been destroyed. Sometime ago a few church items had been found in a storage area of a home.

The image of the church is a drawing made by the recollection of a former parishioner.

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Assiniboia Orthodox Church
1957
Assiniboia,Saskatchewan

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Assiniboia Descent of the Holy Spirit Romanian Orthodox Church

February 25, 1957, a meeting was held in the Radu Motors office to decide on building a church in Assiniboia. It would be affiliated with St. Peter and St. Paul Church in the countryside near Flintoft.

Construction began on August 1, 1957. The first annual meeting of this church was held January 23, 1958 and consecration was on May 18th. In the same year the church manse was moved in from Flintoft.

In 1968, the Western Deanery was organized. Services were held twice a month, alternating between the two parishes.

This congregation has not had a resident priest since 1998. Presently a priest from Moose Jaw holds services in Assiniboia once a month.

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Elm Springs Greek Orthodox
1926
Elm Springs, Saskatchewan

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Elm Spring Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church

The church was built in 1926 on land that was donated by Vasile Popescul. Dedication took place May 13th, 1926. Many of the artifacts were hand-made.

As per early custom the faithful would stand, the men stood on the right and the women on the left. On side walls there were "chair crutches" and fold down seats for the elderly. They remain but pews are now used.

Presently only one service a year is held, on Ascension Day. But, occasionally other services are held, i.e. funerals, etc.

The building was declared a Heritage Property and extensive restoration took place in 1994, which included repainting in its original colours.

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Lakenheath Flintoft Romanian Orthodox
1911
Flintoft, Saskatchewan

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Flintoft-Lakenheath Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church

In the NW 34-6-3-3 this church was built in 1911, in the Flinoft/Lakenheath area, on land donated by Neculae Iamandul. This was made possible through the donation of $6,000.00 given by Nicholai Joare a visiting compatriot.

The first priest -Preotul Dionisie Nichifor 1911-28- immigrated to Canada at the age of 54 to serve the congregation. He had a homestead near by. The trees he planted there are still alive, but only part of some of the walls are left of the stone house he built. Due to illness, he returned to Romania after eighteen years of service.

In 1929 a rectory was built and that building was moved to Assiniboia in 1958.

A bell tower was built some time later.

Regular worship was held until 1957 when another church was built in Assiniboia. Services are still held there on special occasions or feast days.

In 1979 new foundations were made for both the bell tower and the church. Restoration of the interior and exterior were made at the cost of $40,000.00.

The cemetery lies near the church.

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Flintoft-Lakenheath Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church (interior view of alter)
1911
Flintoft-Lakenheath (area), Saskatchewan

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Flintoft-Lakenheath Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church (interior view of alter)

The interior of this church is of special interest. This iconostasis is reputed to be the best example of its kind in Western Canada. The candle holders, gospel stand and the cantor's reading stand are the same ones made by hand in 1911 and 1912.

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Flintoft-Lakenheath Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church (interior view )
1911
Flintoft-Lakenheath (area), Saskatchewan

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Flintoft-Lakenheath Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church (interior view )

Among the several icons, one of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was ordered from Mt. Athos, Greece. Other icons on the iconostasis are from Jerusalem.