One year after fire destroyed its church building, Grace-St. John’s Anglican/Lutheran congregation continues to gather, worship and serve — even without a permanent home.
The March 13 blaze that fully ravaged the 60-year-old Carman church forced the congregation into a season of adjustment, but not retreat. Over the past year, members have continued regular worship, community meals and ministry, adapting how they operate while remaining united in purpose.
“It has meant continuing to do the things we have always done, but in a different way,” said Rev. Trudy Thorarinson. “The congregation has come together and worked together to continue to be Grace-St. John’s.”
Since the fire, worship services have been held in multiple locations, including the Great Room at Boyne Lodge and the common room at Boyne Towers. While the setup requires weekly transport of worship materials, the shared spaces have also opened the door to new connections.
“It has provided an opportunity for residents at Boyne Lodge and tenants at Boyne Towers to join us for worship,” Thorarinson said, adding the congregation is grateful for storage space made available for smaller items.
Grace-St. John’s has also continued its longstanding partnership with Carman United Church. When either congregation’s pastor is away, members gather together — a practice that carried on this year as Grace-St. John’s temporarily held services at the United Church during Rev. Harold Kenyon’s holidays.
As a result, there is no single worship location, but Thorarinson said attendance has remained steady, with a few new faces joining along the way. Participation in worship and congregational events has remained strong.
Over the past year, maintaining connection has been a priority alongside worship. Thorarinson said she has focused on keeping members informed through regular email updates and social media, ensuring everyone knows where services and activities are being held each week. Informal gatherings, including weekly coffee and conversation times at a local restaurant, have also helped sustain relationships during the transition.
Despite the loss of the building, Grace-St. John’s has continued its regular ministry and community events. The congregation hosted its annual spaghetti supper and is preparing to hold its pancake supper at the Legion Auxiliary Hall, maintaining traditions that remain central to congregational life.
In the weeks immediately following the fire, the loss of the building felt devastating. Over time, that sense of loss has shifted.
“What seemed so devastating has become the reality that we are still Grace-St. John’s, even though we have not had a place to call home,” Thorarinson said.
Support from the wider community and beyond has played a major role in that transition. Other congregations provided hymnals, banners, paraments and communion ware. The Legion Auxiliary Hall hosted church suppers, while Carman United Church offered office and meeting space. Local businesses and individuals also stepped forward in the days following the fire.
“We are overwhelmed by the support given locally and beyond,” Thorarinson said.
While some members initially felt displaced, a new rhythm has taken hold, particularly since the decision was made to rebuild.
“A new sense of looking forward to having our own building again has set in,” she said, noting plans are underway to rebuild a single-level church on the original site.
Looking ahead, Thorarinson said the past year has reshaped how the congregation understands church and community.
“Wherever we gather, we are Grace-St. John’s,” she said. “It is more important now to stay together.”
Her hope for the next chapter is that the congregation continues to focus on ministry beyond the walls of any building, while remaining positive as rebuilding moves forward.
“What started out looking like an ending has turned into new opportunities for how we operate as a congregation,” she said.
The fire that destroyed Grace-St. John’s Anglican/Lutheran Church broke out in the early morning hours of March 13, 2025. Carman firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4 a.m., but were unable to enter the building due to extensive fire damage and structural collapse. Flames had already burned through the main floor, forcing crews to attack the fire from outside.
The church building, which had served the congregation for roughly 60 years, was later deemed a total loss.
