Flintoft-Lakenheath SK Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery 1911

Flintoft-Lakenheath, Saskatchewan, Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery, 1911

Prehistory

Romanians began to arrive in Saskatchewan, Canada, and to settle in various parts just before 1900. The first place of settlement was in Regina. This was followed by the Dysart region to the northeast, and the Kayville region to the southwest. This was followed by the settlement of the Flintoft area (220 km/137 mi) southwest of Regina ; and very soon afterwards, the Faithful at Flintoft organised themselves to construct a Temple in which to worship.

Constructing the Temple, 1911

This Temple was built in 1911, in the Flintoft/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.

When the iconostas was erected, it was reputed to be the best in the Dominion of Canada at the time.

First priest

The first priest, Preotul Dionisie Nichifor, immigrated to Canada at the age of 54 in order to serve the congregation. He had a homestead nearby. The trees he planted there are still alive in 2017, but only part of some of the walls are left of the stone house that he built. Due to illness, he returned to Romania after 18 years of service (1911-1928).

Remains of the stone house of Father Nichifor

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

A bell-house was built some time later.

Beginning of rural depopulation during the Great Drought, 1930s

By the 1930s, many Romanians had moved into the nearby town of Assiniboia.

View from the west

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

A parish hall, built in about 1920, is situated to the south side of the Temple.

A bell by the Temple in 1979

The interior of this Temple is of special interest. This iconostas is reputed to be the best example of its type in Western Canada. The candle-holders, the Gospel-stand, and the cantor’s reading-stand are the same ones that were made by hand by parishioners in 1911 and 1912.

Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Cemetery, 1911

The cemetery is situated near the Temple, on the north side.

Cemetery, Temple and Bell-house, Hall

Interior and iconostas, with Readers' desk

Royal Doors

Notable icons

Amongst the several icons, one of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was ordered from Mount Athos, Greece. Other icons on the iconostas are from Jerusalem.

Saints Peter and Paul

Focus on Assiniboia, 1950s

Regular worship was held in Flintoft until 1957, when a Temple was constructed in the town of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Parishioners who lived in that town, and also in the rural areas, began to attend this Temple, since it had more frequent services.

See Assiniboia SK The Descent of the Holy Spirit Romanian Orthodox Church 1958-2016. The Temple in Assiniboia was closed in 2016, because most families had moved away from the town into larger centres elsewhere. However, services are still offered in Flintoft on special occasions and on some feast-days.

Particular parish information

This parish is a part of the Western Deanery of the Canadian Vicariate of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. The dean is the Priest Nicolae Lapuste. The vicar is the Bishop Andrei (Hoarste). The bishop is Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp).

This parish follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

The Altar Feast-day of the parish is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 29 June.

In 2022, the parish is served under the direction of the Priest Nicolae Lapuste.

Address :

Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church

Land description site NW 34-06-03-W3

(GPS co-ordinates : 49 degrees 31' 21" N, 106 degrees 20' 31' W)

Flintoft, Saskatchewan

S0H 1R0

Directions :

Flintoft is about 219 km (136 mi) southwest from Regina, and the travel time by car is about 2 hours 30 minutes. Flintoft is about 150 km (92 mi) southwest of Moose Jaw, and the travel time by car is 1 hour 30 minutes. Flintoft is about 8 km (5 mi) distant from Lakenheath and approximately 17 km (11 mi) southwest of Limerick.

From Regina, drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway until Highway #2 (Can-Am Highway) in Moose Jaw. Turn left (south) onto Highway #2. Drive south on Highway #2 until Assiniboia. Turn east onto Highway #13, and then south on Highway #358.

From Moose Jaw, drive south on Highway #2 until Assiniboia. At Assiniboia turn east onto Highway #13, and then drive south on Highway #358 to Flintoft. [GPS geo-coordinates: lat: 49.5225, lon: -106.3421]

From Flintoft, continue on Highway #358. Follow the road for 5.3 km (3.3 mi). Keep slightly left on Road #2. Follow the road for 1.6 km (1 mi).

Mailing address:

Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church

PO Box 37

Limerick, Saskatchewan

S0H 2P0

Bishop Andrei (Hoarste), Vicar of Canada

Episcopate Office

PO Box 309

Grass Lake, Michigan 49240

USA

Telephone : 517-522-4800

E-mail : chancery@roea.org

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.

Patterson, G J, “Romans of Saskatchewan : Four Generations of Adaptation” (Ottawa : University of Ottawa Press, 1977).

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, p. 81.

Additional information :

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.

Diocesan listing

Virtual museum article

Article on Saints Peter and Paul Romanian Church in Flintoft

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Romanian Orthodox Episcopate web-site

Archbishop Valerian (Trifa)

Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp)

Bishop Polycarp (Moruşca)

Bishop Andrei (Moldovan)

Bishop Irineu (Duvlea)

Bishop Andrei (Hoarste)

Canadian Orthodox History article about Assiniboia