Sister Clare Reinert, a School Sister of Notre Dame of the St. Louis Province was hired to conduct the study. Between August 1997 and February 1998, through house visits and small group gatherings, seven regional or area groups were formed for the purpose of studying and discussing the spiritual needs of the people living in the area. These groups still exist and are at the root of community formation among the people. As the groups grew to include almost 100 families, a new church community was born.

On February 2, 1998, the entire community gathered for the first Eucharistic celebration with Bishop David B. Thompson as the main celebrant. On this date Bishop Thompson asked the community to consider the name Transfiguration.

Rev. William Carey, an Army chaplain from Fort Jackson, was assigned to the new community on an interim basis. Blythewood Academy was rented for Sunday mass. The community rented a house at 313 Seton Hall in Green Springs subdivision for weekday masses and for parish meetings.