Blumenfeld Church – Worth the Drive!
By Mallory Cawthra
The heritage site of Blumenfeld Church is a captivating place to visit, if not for its historical significance, then for the church’s architecture. Blumenfeld Roman Catholic Church is located about 22 km southeast of the Town of Leader, just south of another historical site, St. John’s replica church and one-room schoolhouse. The Blumenfeld Church site is located on a ridge and contains a cemetery, a fieldstone Grotto, open-air Stations of the Cross, a prayer house, and a memorial cairn.
As you drive down the grid road to the church, you will notice the steeple’s striking profile in the distance. As you inch closer, Blumenfeld church comes into full view; two-storey, pristine and prominent against a rural backdrop. You will notice a bell-tower atop the steeple, and there are many rounded-arch windows adorning the exterior of the church, and what appears to be two Elm trees, one on either side of the stairs leading up to the front entrance. The grounds are open and spacious, bordered by hedgerows, and there is a certain feeling of tranquility as you wander the grounds.
Blumenfeld church was erected in 1915 under the care of Oblate Fathers, as per the sign that greets you upon entering the heritage site property. It was built by German-Russian Catholic settlers, and is also known as Saints Peter and Paul Church. The church was an integral part of the local and surrounding communities, and stands as a valuable testament to the early settlers. There is a Latin verse written at the bottom of a stonework marker on the property that reads: “mater dei ora pro nobis,” which roughly translates to “Mother of God, pray for us”.
There is an “Our Sorrowful Mother” Grotto located on the church property, which was built in 1936. The Grotto is made of fieldstone and contains a Pieta statue inside of a viewing window, which depicts Jesus lying on the lap of Mary after the Crucifixion (Saskatchewan History Album online). Annual pilgrimages were made to the site and still continue, but were paused due to COVID-19 this past year. The open-air 14 Stations of the Cross came from Sacred Heart Church in Altario, Alberta, and were erected in 1997. They serve as a mini pilgrimage, chronicling Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. One can stand, reflect and meditate before each one, moving on down the line until all 14 have been visited.
Blumenfeld Church stopped regular church service in 1962, but is still occasionally used for community and special events. It is definitely worth the visit!
Photos by Mallory Cawthra (click for larger images)
