
Records
indicate that Romanian immigrants began homesteading farms in Saskatchewan
as early as 1894. One of the communities they settled was Flintoft, a small
hamlet, founded, 1906, southwestern Saskatchewan. Still standing in this
small hamlet is one of the most remarkable pioneering buildings of worship.
Called Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, this quaint wooden
structure was built with devotion and energy by immigrant families for
marriage and baptism ceremonies as well as funeral services. Completed,
1911, according to Professor G. James Patterson, Eastern Oregon State College,
the iconostasis (altar screen) of this church “is the finest of any Romanian
Orthodox Church in Canada, made probably at the Romanian Monastery at MountAthos
in Greece.” The impressive screen alter at the front of this pioneering
church still stands much as it did when it was first built. Above, is view
of church with Roy Cojocar, member, whose Romanian grandparents donated
the chandeliers for this house of worship. Left, is a close-up of one of
the more than 50 icon paintings making up the stunning iconostasis of this
heritage prairie church. [Photo, courtesy Church Council, Sts. Peter and
Paul Romanian Orthodox Church via Roy Cojocar]
