Welcome to Holy Transfiguration of Woodstock

The Church of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ

We are a Western Rite Orthodox Catholic church.  Our mission is simple: to praise and glorify God, chanting Psalms and asking for His Mercy as we prepare to share in the Sacraments.  In spite of our limited resources and the frailty of the building, we look after this historic treasure as best we can, and we are pleased that so many visit.

Our episcopal patronage is a continuation of the episcopal lineage that was brought to this chapel in 1938 by Archbishop William (Brothers), Metropolitan of the Orthodox Bishops of the Western Rite.  Metropolitan Williams, also known as Father Francis, lived as a monk in a building on the grounds that has since been demolished. Francis was a well-known and much-loved fixture in the Woodstock community until his passing the early 80’s.  His Wikipedia page is here.  Father Francis was succeeded by Archbishop John (LoBue), now Metropolitan John.

In 1995 Metropolitan John granted a blessing to his Deacon, Father John Nelson to conduct services at the chapel.  With the Metropolitan’s permission, John chose the name of The Church of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ for the chapel and returned the chapel to it’s original purpose: the Glory of God.  Over the years, John built the Baptistry building where he lived in the loft.  Father John was a master carpenter, and it is to his skill and endless improvements, we are grateful that this frail building is still standing.  Father John also was known to the town of Woodstock as Jack Nelson.  He was a well-known and much-loved member of the Woodstock community.  Father Deacon John passed away in 2017.

In response to Father John’s passing Metropolitan John sent Protodeacon Father Vincent to continue conducting Services on Sundays and it is in this form we continue.