Navigating faith in a changing landscape
Longtime resident Greg Matthews, 67, has lived in Craven most of his life. He shrugs when asked why there’s never been a church in town.
“People here just go to Lumsden or Regina,” he said, referring to the neighbouring communities with established churches. “I remember my grandparents driving into Lumsden every Sunday for service. It’s just how it’s always been.”
According to Matthews, the lack of a religious centre has never been a major concern. “If there was enough demand, I’m sure someone would have built one. But Craven’s a small place. People seem happy with things the way they are.”
For Leah Thompson, 43, faith is a personal journey, not something that requires a dedicated space.
“I was raised Catholic, but I don’t go to church anymore,” she said. “A lot of people my age don’t. That doesn’t mean we don’t have faith, but we don’t necessarily feel the need for a church in Craven.”
Thompson believes the decline of religious institutions in small towns is part of a broader trend. “You see churches closing all over rural Saskatchewan. It’s not just Craven—it’s happening everywhere.”
Not everyone sees the absence as unusual. For Chris Benoit, 52, who has lived in Craven his entire life, it’s simply never been a priority.
“I wouldn’t say people here are less religious than anywhere else,” Benoit says. “They just practise differently. Some go to Lumsden, Regina, or wherever their families have roots. Others don’t feel they need a formal place to worship at all.”
Benoit points out that the town still values community support. “We might not have a church, but if someone’s in trouble, people rally around them. Isn’t that what faith is really about?”
Jasmin Khan, 29, moved to Craven last year and was surprised by the lack of a religious space. But there is a religious centre 10 kilometres outside of Craven
“I practise Islam, and while I wasn’t expecting a mosque here, I did wonder if there was any kind of multi-faith space,” she said. “A church that’s open to all faiths, or even a simple gathering place for discussions and prayers, would be nice.”
Khan acknowledges that Craven’s small population makes it difficult to sustain something like that. “I get it—there might not be enough people to justify building anything. But sometimes, a space for reflection, community, and connection is just as important as a place for worship.” said Khan
For Bob Larkin, 64, the question isn’t whether a church should exist in Craven—it’s whether it could last.
“Church attendance is down everywhere,” Larkin said. “Even in towns that have churches, they’re struggling. I don’t think it’s about Craven not wanting one. It’s about whether people would go.”
Larkin believes people have changed how they practise faith. “Nowadays, people find sermons online. They pray at home. They drive to bigger churches with more programs. It’s not like the old days where every town needed its own little church.”
