Interior features that contribute to the architectural importance:

The interior features traditional Orthodox elements in a Byzantine style. It is in the shape of a cross, with the altar on a platform at the east end (under the curved section); the north and south extensions (curved sides) form alcoves with wood ceilings. There is a small balcony on the west end, with stairs from the main room. Original chairs line the side walls; in a traditional service only the older members would be seated and others stood in the centre of the room; now there are folding wood chairs also. The plaster walls and arched ceiling are an intense shade of light blue. A three-level crystal chandelier is under the centre dome. The stained glass window colours of red, gold, and deep blue are of the Romanian flag. Across the altar there is a large screen (iconostasis) with painted icons; in the screen there are three sets of doors. A painting of Jesus is on the curved east wall; it is visible to the congregation when the priest has opened the centre doors of the screen. The built-in woodwork has a dark stain; the moveable pieces are a light shade; church member John Luck made several of these.

Contextual Importance:

The Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church is next to the intersection of Seminole Street and Drouillard Road, both busy local commercial streets. The side away from the corner abuts a Roman Catholic cemetery; thus no buildings are next to it. It is one of several churches in the Drouillard and Seminole area that have origins in eastern Europe; others on the heritage register include St. John the Divine Russian Orthodox (1094 Drouillard Rd, built 1949 replacing 1914), Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox (1406

Drouillard Rd, 1947), and St. Dimitrije Serbian Orthodox (2690 Seminole St, built 1945 for Ukrainian). Also, Saints Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church was built for the Slovak community two blocks east (3065 Seminole St, 1935). Most of the other nearby buildings are small houses, with a few commercial units.

Character Defining Elements

Feature that contributes to historical value of Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church include:

• Its association with the eastern European immigrants from the early 20th Century to date.

Exterior features that contribute to the architectural value of Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church include:

• Simplified Gothic Revival style, with Orthodox elements.

• Five domes, including two onion and three faceted cones, all with metal caps and stained-glass crosses.