Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration

The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration is a notable open-air sanctuary situated within the Shrine Mont retreat and conference center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, this unique cathedral stands as a testament to community effort and spiritual devotion.

History and Construction

The site's history is intertwined with the natural springs of the Shenandoah Valley, which attracted visitors and led to the establishment of hotels as early as the mid-1800s. Episcopal services began to be held in the area in the late 1800s. Following the death of the Sixth Bishop of Virginia, Robert Atkinson Gibson, in 1919, his son-in-law, the Rev. Edmund Lee Woodward, was instrumental in establishing year-round worship. The Shrine of the Transfiguration was subsequently built on land that had been part of Bishop Gibson's property, with construction occurring between 1924 and 1925 in a natural amphitheater.

A distinctive aspect of the cathedral's construction is that each stone was personally brought by local people, either pulled by horse or rolled, from the embracing mountain. This communal effort imbued the structure with a deep connection to its surroundings. The baptismal font holds particular historical and cultural significance, as it was originally a dugout stone used by Native Americans for grinding corn.

The consecration of the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration took place in 1925, at which time the Woodwards presented a Deed of Donation, conveying the land to the Diocese of Virginia. Rev. Woodward was appointed rector of the shrine for life. Under his guidance and later that of directors like Wilmer E. Moomaw, Shrine Mont evolved into a comprehensive retreat center, with various buildings, cottages, and facilities developed over the decades to accommodate guests and enhance the spiritual experience.

Significance and Features

As an active place of worship, the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration serves as a spiritual heart for the Shrine Mont center and the wider Episcopal community. Its open-air design offers a unique setting for services, blending the sacred with the natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley. The cathedral includes a bell tower, sacristy, shrine crossing, choir and clergy stalls, a pulpit, a font, and a lectern, all contributing to its functional and spiritual purpose. The adjacent The Virginia House, a historic hotel structure, further adds to the rich historical tapestry of the Shrine Mont property.