Saint Nicholas Anglican Church built in 1900 by Mark Catley, nestled in rolling hills of the Qu’Appelle Valley, approximately 10 kilometers northeast of the Village of Craven.

“It is never locked,” said Rick Taylor, who has lived in Craven for 40 years.

Although the Catley family leaves the church open so people can walk in and have a look, there was one incident that stands out.

“Just before Covid, when the Craven Jamboree was on, somebody stole the brass cross off the alter,” said Irwin Catley, Mark Catley’s great grandson. “Three years later, after the Jamboree started up again, somebody brought the cross back.”

Irwin Catley, 87, has lived his entire life on the hill above the church at the Catley Ranch.

The original location of the church was a few miles north where it stood for 10 years.

“There were quite a few people living in the area at that time, and they realized the valley wouldn’t support that many people, and thought they better move the church out,” said Irwin Catley.

In 1910, the church was taken apart and moved to where it stands today.

“Every board was numbered and moved to its present location and reassembled,” said Taylor.

The little church stands out with its red roof.

“It is so picturesque,” said Taylor.

The Catley family has maintained the appearance of the church.

“It has always been the same colours,” said Irwin Catley. “A red roof and grey building.”

From the beginning, it has remained an Anglican church.

“I always remember our harvest Thanksgiving services where we would have a full church of people and we used to take vegetables and decorate the church and a lot of people that didn’t regularly come would come to this service,” said Catley. “It was really special.”

Throughout the generations, the Catley family remain the caretakers of the church.

“My grandfather Norman looked after the church, then my dad Wilber, then me, and now my son Trent looks after it,” said Catley.

Trent Catley is the fifth generation of the Catley family looking after the church.

“I’m proud to be able to have the opportunity to carry on the tradition like that,” said Trent Catley. “All our heritage is right there and to continue it on and hopefully pass it on to one of my kids or nephews one day.”

“When we do the burials of family members, we arrange for the grave to be dug and it’s our responsibility to fill it in, it’s like family taking care of family,” said Trent Catley. “It just kind of helps with the closure.”

The church is owned by the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

“Last year the church was re-sided, and it cost about $70,000,” said Irwin Catley. “We received a lot of donations by so many good people that want to see the church there.”

Irwin Catley’s grandson Clay passed away years ago, and his other grandson Wyatt started a ranch rodeo which raised money by the community to help fund the renovations.

“It really meant a lot to us,” said Irwin Catley.

The church is still operating and they have approximately 20 regular attendees.

“We are really fortunate that we have a good minister right now, Rev. Willa Martin,” said Irwin Catley. “She gives excellent sermons.”

Hour-long Sunday services will be held from June to September every Sunday at 10 a.m.