Elm Springs SK Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1926

Elm Springs, Saskatchewan, Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1926

Prehistory

The prehistory of the Romanian Orthodox community at Elm Springs, Saskatchewan, Canada, is similar to that of other communities in Southern Saskatchewan.

Romanian immigration to Canada began in about 1885. Although the majority of the newly-arrived Romanians at that time and afterwards emigrated from the Province of Bucovina (at that time under the Austro-Hungarian Empire), some came also from the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia of the Kingdom of Romania, and some also arrived from the Province of Transylvania of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

At that time, the Department of the Interior of the Government of Canda was encouraging immigration in order to settle the central and western parts of the country as a defence from the danger of invasion from the USA.

In 1885, the first Romanian settlement was in the region near Canora and Yorkton, in what is now Saskatchewan (at that time North-West Territories), the first Romanian Bloc-settlement in the region. Many of the Romanians worked as labourers for one or another of the railways that were being constructed at that time as an important element in the development of the interior. It was through such labour that the newcomers managed to gather funds to support their homesteads and farmsteads.

By about 1905, Romanian settlement included farmlands in the southern parts of Saskatchewan, as well as various towns throughout the various regions of what became in that year the Province of Saskatchewan.

The first Romanian Orthodox Temple in Southern Rural Saskatchewan was established in 1906 at Kayville, Saskatchewan.

Settlement of Elm Springs region

Then, during approximately 1908 to 1910, the farming community expanded to the Elm Springs area, in what is now the Old Post Rural Municipality. This was enabled in part by the development of a railway line in the region.

By the 1920s, a large Romanian community had become established in the district near Elm Springs. However, those living near Elm Springs were at that time able only infrequently to attend church services, since the nearest Orthodox church was some 30 km (18 mi) away. This was a prohibitive distance to travel in those days, because of poor roads (where they existed), and the fact that most people travelled either on horseback, or in wagons pulled by horses.

Construction of the Temple

So that they could more easily maintain their traditional rhythm of worship in the foundation of their personal and community life, the people who had settled at Elm Springs undertook to build their own Temple in 1926.

The Temple was built with donated funds and labour, and it was furnished with many fixtures, and religious accoutrements that were handmade by parishioners.

It was understood, of course, that it would be unlikely to have a full-time or even a regular part-time priest to offer the Divine Liturgy, as well as other sacramental needs. Despite this, the community did construct a parish house. It was understood that a priest would be able to come occasionally. Nevertheless, it was customary that the Faithful go to the Temple regularly (especially Sundays and Feast-days) in order to worship together. They used the forms of service used by a reader for this purpose.

A parcel of open and grassy land (3.0 ha/7.5 acres) was donated by Vasile Popescul for the purpose of constructing a Temple, and establishing a cemetery. This land was purposely chosen because it is on high ground, and highly visible to all around. It served as a visible focus for all the believers in the region, and a constant reminder of who they are, and of the correct priorities in life.

The Temple, named for the Feast of the Ascension of Christ, was constructed with donated funds and labour, and the parish played an important role in the life of the local community.

Sanctification of the Temple

The Temple was sanctified on Thursday, 13 May, 1926, on the Feast of the [Holy Ascension of the Lord.

Structurally, the Temple expresses a blend of both the local context and the Romanian Orthodox heritage.

Its basic elements reflect the nature of other early-twentieth-century churches in the region. Its layout is simple, and the construction is wood-frame. The windows have pointed arches, and the windows have tracery. The siding is clapboard, and the roofing is wooden shakes. In the interior, there is wainscoting, and wooden trim. The specific Romanian Orthodox elements begin with the east-west orientation of the Temple itself.

The building includes side-apses which make the building have a cruciform shape. The roof has 2 cupolas, one near the west end, and one at the east, above the Altar. Also, on the roof are 2 wrought-iron Crosses, one on each cupola, and 4 other wrought-iron Crosses, one each on the roof-peak at the east, west, south, and north extremities of the form of the Holy Cross made by the building’s “foot-print” (i.e. cruciform shape].

Inside the Temple, the Altar area at the eastern end of the Temple is set a part by the highly-decorated iconostas. There is also a choir-loft at the western end. Along the sides are “stantia” : elevated wooden platforms on which people might stand during services. The personal spaces on these platforms are marked by wooden supports or arm-rests. There are also icon-stands for icons, and tables for particular services (such as baptisms, marriages, anointings, funerals, and memorial-services). Characteristically, these furnishings were made by the early parishioners themselves.

Outside the Temple, a bell-house was constructed nearby. Much later, the bell-house was taken down, and the bell was mounted on a concrete pad, in the open, near the Temple.

From 1933 to 1935, Priest Trandafir Rabiga (Rabi) served in this parish.

Priest Dumitru Erina also served in this parish.

Visit of Bishop Policarp (Morusca)

On 28 June, 1936, Bishop Policarp (Morusca) served the Divine Liturgy in this Temple.

Photo of the hierarchical visit

The original central dome was still present.

Great Depression ; rural depopulation

As have all other rural parishes across Western Canada, this parish community suffered from rural depopulation, which began in the 1930s. This accelerated after World War II with the increase in mechanisation, and the consolidation of small farms into larger ones.

Post-World War II

From 1944 to 1949, Priest D Eiskep was serving the parish. However, there was tension between this parish and the neighbouring parish of Saints Peter and Paul at Flintoft. Priest Iordache Onescu was to serve only in Flintoft, but he wished to “take over” Elm Springs as well. He managed to do this in 1950, when the parish was listed as “vacant”.

In 1951, the visiting pastor was Priest Ioan Pescari.

In about 1963, Priest Alexandru Zaba was the pastor.

In 1966, the parish was represented at the diocesan assembly in the USA by Mr. John Iacob.

In 1972, the pastor was Priest Dumitru Diaconescu.

It was at about that time that the large, central dome of the Temple was blown away by a wind-storm.

The Temple, after repairs

By the 1990s, the number of farms had decreased even more greatly because a great many had been bought by larger and larger farming operations.

Eventually, there remained only a few Romanian Orthodox Faithful who lived nearby. Meanwhile, means of transportation had greatly improved, and become universally available. Travel to other, larger centres became rather easy. Therefore, services in this Temple became less, and less frequent.

Then, the serving of the Divine Liturgy in the Temple became only an annual event, on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. However, weddings and funerals did continue to be served in this Temple.

The Temple continues to serve also as a memorial to the Romanian pioneers in the region.

Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Cemetery, 1926

Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Cemetery at Elm Springs, Saskatchewan, was established in 1926, when the Temple was established.

It is located in the Rural Municipality of Old Post No. 43, approximately 30 km southwest of the Town of Assiniboia, in the Wood Mountain district.

In 2026, there were 77 interments listed in the cemetery. The earliest interments were in 1930.

Land description SE 28-5-2 W3 in the RM of Old Post

GPS Coordinates : 49.40814, -106.20994

Aerial view

Parish particular information

This parish is part of the Western Deanery of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, in the Patriarchate of Romania. The bishop is Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Ascension of Christ.

Address :

Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Church

GPS Coordinates : 49.40814, -106.20994

Land description SE 28-5-2 W3 in the RM of Old Post

Saskatchewan

S0H 4L0

Directions :

Holy Ascension Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery is situated within the Rural Municipality (RM) of Old Post No. 43 in Southern Saskatchewan.

Elm Springs is about 22 km east of Wood Mountain ; 30 km southeast of Flintoft ; 54 km southeast of Assiniboia ; 230 km southwest of Regina ; 161 km southeast of Moose Jaw. It is about 68 km north of the USA border.

From Regina :

Drive westwards on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 until Moose Jaw. Before Moose Jaw, take the exit for Highway #2 South (Highway of Heroes). Drive southwards, past Assiniboia, until the junction with Pickthall Road. Turn right (west) onto Pickthall Road, and continue driving westwards until Elm Springs. This includes a left turn, and a right turn. Then the Temple is on the right (north side) side of the road, just after the last right turn.

References

Bugea, Eleanor, “Romanians in Canada” (Michigan : Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2009). ISBN : 978-1-929200-14-6.

McLennan, David “Our Towns : Saskatchewan Communities from Abbey to Zenon Park” (Regina, Saskatchewan : Canadian Plains Research Center, 2008). ©2008 Canadian Plains Research Center. ISBN: 978-0-88977-209-0.

Sandulescu, Archpriest George,’'Saskatchewan’s Romanian Orthodox Communities Including Dysart, Wood Mountain, Kayville, Assiniboia, Pierceland, Regina’ in “SGS (Saskatchewan Genealogical Society) Bulletin”, vol. 19, no. 1, 1988.

Additional information :

Anderson, Alan, “Settling Saskatchewan” (Regina : University of Regina Press, 2013).

Anderson, Alan, "Ethnic Block Settlements in Saskatchewan"

Pacurariu, Mircea, ‘Romanian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity” (Oxford : John Wiley & Sons, 2007). ISBN 10 : 0631234233 ; ISBN 13 : 9780631234234.

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Canadian Historic Places reference : Elm Springs Roumanian Orthodox Church, Old Post RM 43, Saskatchewan

Mapcarta location

Wikipedia article about the Rural Municipality of Old Post No 43, Saskatchewan

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Romania

Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas

Patriarch Nicodim (Munteanu)

Patriarch Justin (Moisescu)

Patriarch Teoctist (Arăpașu)

Patriarch Daniel Ciobotea

Metropolitan Pimen (Georgiescu)