All Saints, Dain City, Closes Following Faithful Season of Discernment

All Saints, Dain City Closes Following Faithful Season of Discernment 

After more than 80 years of faithful ministry, the parish of All Saints, Dain City (Welland), is preparing to close its doors. 

Following a vestry motion recommending voluntary disestablishment, and with the assent of the bishop, the parish was formally disestablished on Sunday, April 19, with its final service presided over by Bishop Susan Bell. This moment comes not as a sudden ending, but as the culmination of a long and prayerful journey of discernment. It was a journey marked by honesty, courage, and deep love for the community All Saints has served for generations. 

Even as this chapter draws to a close, the legacy of All Saints is one that Synod Council has named and celebrated: a witness to the Gospel expressed in care for neighbours, stewardship of creation, and the nurturing of disciples across decades of ministry. 
 
Below are some reflections on the journey of All Saints: 

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In my role as Parish Development Missioner, I was invited to share with the people of All Saints, Dain City, as they entered a time of discernment about their future. A year ago, we reflected together on the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6–9), and the call to tend the soil faithfully for one more season. The people of this parish took that work seriously. Like the gardener in the parable, they have been careful and faithful stewards of what was entrusted to them. Week by week, they gathered for worship, sustained the life of the parish, cared for one another, and worked diligently to keep the church present in the community. Many of them have quite literally been gardeners as well, nurturing the community gardens on the church grounds, where signs of new life return each year through patient and hopeful labour. 

In the end, their decision to disestablish is not a defeat, but a faithful acknowledgement of the season that has come. Like all Christian life, All Saints’ story is held within the pattern of death and resurrection, and we trust that the good work God began there will continue in new ways. As the people of All Saints move into new parish homes, they carry with them the spirit that has marked this community — steadfast, hopeful, and confident that with each new season, God will bring new life. 

Emily Hill
Parish Development Missioner 

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As the Archdeacon of Brock and Rector of the neighbouring parish of St David’s Welland, I have had the great privilege of witnessing the extraordinary ways in which the faithful and dedicated people of All Saints Dain City have touched the hearts of countless people. For over eighty years, they have stood as witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by welcoming so many to participate in worship and fellowship. Together, they have celebrated baptisms, weddings, and commended many to God’s eternal care, thus leaving a lasting legacy in the lives of so many who have been shaped by the witness and ministry of All Saints. And so while this moment in time may mark a conclusion to the parish’s institutional life, it does not mark an end to the faith, devotion, and Christian witness that have long lived in the hearts and minds of the parishioners, lay and ordained leaders of this congregation who have faithfully served the people of Dain City for over eight decades.  

To each of you, I extend my deepest thanks for all that you have done in shining a light on what it is to be a loving and faithful Christian community. I will always remember the times we spent together during worship services, parish meetings, planning for the opening of your community garden or simply enjoying time together during social gatherings and parish celebrations. To the wardens and to my dear friend, the Reverend Canon Nirmal Mendis, your tireless work in upholding the people of this wonderful community has inspired me in ways I cannot fully express. You have been extraordinary servants. May God bless you all as you journey towards a hopeful future, knowing that we are all so grateful and appreciative for your many years of faithful and devoted service. 

Yours in Christ 

The Venerable Terry Holub 

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Our Memories of All Saints Anglican Church (Dain City), Welland, 1910–2026 

Our feelings about All Saints, Dain City, closing are certainly mixed. We are saddened that circumstances have forced this, but I am also looking forward to joining another, hopefully, fuller congregation. 

The people from All Saints have been extensions of our own families. We have shared our celebrations and heartbreaks as well, families growing then shrinking as we lose loved ones. 

When the Fundraising Committee was formed, we put on many events – many pasta dinners, golf tournaments, fish fries, flea markets, bazaars, auctions, trivia nights, purse bingos, penny sales, vendor markets, kids’ fairs and community gardens with the help of Dain City Community Garden Committee. All these events brought the Dain City community together, and we appreciated all the support they gave the church. 

After being lifetime members from Baptism, going to Sunday School and later teaching, Confirmation, getting married and parenting our children, joining the Ladies Guild until it faded, we have always been active. Of all these, our fondest memories are of the Ladies Guild. We were a very busy group with all the usual activities, but the best was the camaraderie that we shared. We helped each other solve problems, talents, child-rearing issues, personal issues, failed recipes, etc. This lovely group of women helped us to become the people that we are today. 

We truly hope that there will be some contact with our church family in the future. 

Sincerely submitted 

by Kathy Porcaro & Betty Totten  

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I am H. S. Dhillon from Punjab, India and presently live in Dain City, Welland. By the year 2022, I started visiting All Saints Church, Dain City, and that changed my life. This is only due to the teaching and ways of explaining the thoughts of Christ by our beloved Rev. Nirmal Mendis, a very kind and deeply devoted soul. I have regard and love for him. But it is so sad that the church is going to close soon. I will always miss your kindness and teaching. Gardening is my hobby. After joining Dain City Community Garden, it became great fun to meet so many good people and work as a community. 

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I want to thank all of the people at All Saints for the wonderful lunch put on last Sunday.  Thank you for including my family; they also had a lovely time. 

When I came to All Saints almost 8 years ago, I was so overwhelmed with the kindness and welcome from not only the choir, Nirmal, Kathy and the wardens but from the people in the pews. 

I was made to feel at home right away and looked forward to each week to be part of this outstanding community. 

Growing up, I heard many stories from my aunt (Alice Skinner) and her husband about the church and coming from a large Roman Catholic church, it was hard to understand the close community that made All Saints the parish it is.  I often chuckle to myself, thinking what they would say knowing that I have now had the pleasure of experiencing what they often talked about at All Saints. 

The upcoming closing of All Saints is very sad for me, and I cannot imagine what it will be like for many of you who have spent most, if not all, of your lives in this parish.  I pray that God will help all of you through this difficult time. 

I would have liked to have continued with all of you every Sunday until April 19, but the position at St. James, St. Brendan needed filling.  I am confident my daughters will carry the music ministry in my absence.   

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your faith-filled community and for all the support you have given me over the last few years, and thank you for the generous lunch and gift you gave me.   

Ken Parr
Organist 

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As the people of All Saints prepare to mark this final chapter together, the wider diocesan community joins in giving thanks for more than eight decades of faithful witness, for lives shaped in faith, and for a parish that has quietly and steadfastly served Christ in its neighbourhood. 

Synod Council has commended these disciples to the parishes they will now join, trusting that the same spirit of generosity, fellowship, and care that defined All Saints will continue to bear fruit in new communities.