Karen Czyz Lylyk Matz Searching for Information on Her Late Grandfather

Recently, Karen Czyz Lylyk Matz, reached out to us, asking for help gathering information regarding her late grandfather Ilko/Elia/Alex (who went by all three names). Throughout his life, her grandfather worked on churches across Canada, including the one on the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Redemption Baptist Church), in Kindersley. Below is Karen’s letter to us, if anyone has any information, please reach out to her at k.matz@sasktel.net.

Dear Kindersley Social,

I am collecting information on my late grandfather Ilko/Elia/Alex Czyz’s work that he contributed to on churches from B.C. to Ontario, throughout his lifetime.

From notes, which Ilko left, before he passed, he identified that he built the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in Kindersley, SK. In addition, to building the church; including the three domes, which are unique to his workmanship and style, he also built the Kivotos (tabernacle), which rests on the High Alter, and the church pews/benches.

The photo below was taken outside of the church when it was completed, and had its official opening. I do not have any information as to when this church was built or a photo(s) of the interior, reflecting his craftsmanship. I presume it was over a period of years and maybe in the 1950s. As my grandfather worked away from home, doing ‘church-construction/craftsman work,’ I am trying to also learn about his life in the community back then. I am hoping someone may still recall him and have stories to share, etc. which can be incorporated into the Czyz Family History Record which I am developing.

My grandfather did not have a vehicle and was not able to drive. He would have lived as a boarder/tenant with a family that prepared and served Ukrainian ethnic dishes. He was fluent in several European languages and English.

I was not able to locate any photos of the church or any information of this church via the internet other than the church is now closed. I can only presume there is someone in Kindersley who has been gathering and documenting the community’s history. If so, please reach out so that I can further enrich our family history. The diocese office, as you know rotates priests, so connecting with a priest, having knowledge or photos of this church, will be difficult to locate.