Release Date: October 21st, 2025Closing Well - Bethel Mennonite Church
“We are leaving quite a legacy and it’s something we will never completely see,” says Steve Hiller, a member of Bethel Mennonite Church (Elora), which will close its doors at the end of October. “We have no idea how many lives God has touched through Bethel. My life was changed here, and I’m just one person. There are hundreds more.”
As Bethel prepares for its final service, members remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness across 78 years. At Bethel’s 75th anniversary, someone referenced a map of the world indicating Bethel’s global outreach – at least 42 countries where members had served. Closer to home, countless lives were shaped through Bethel’s worship, mission and youth programs. During a youth homecoming in 2014, the sanctuary overflowed with hundreds returning to give thanks for the nurture they had received.
“God has been faithful throughout the years at Bethel,” reflects Robert Musselman, who incidentally was one of the first children born into the congregation. “Twelve families were called to start this congregation, and God’s Spirit has faithfully led us from there to here.”
Like many congregations, Bethel faced dwindling numbers and aging leadership. “It became evident that we can’t go on like this,” recalls Vera Bauman. “We were wearing out.”
To discern their future, Bethel began a series of “Town Hall” meetings — gatherings where nearly everyone attended. “We sat in chairs in a circle and talked,” Vera says. “We listened to one another.”
These conversations grew into a deeper process of discernment. Bethel invited Marilyn Rudy-Froese, MCEC Leadership Minister, to walk with them. With her gentle presence, she helped create space for honest reflection and supported the congregation as they discerned their way forward.
Though no one wanted to close, members gradually realized it was the faithful path forward. “I would have loved to vote the other way. That’s where my heart was,” admits Chester Martin. “But it didn’t feel like an option.” In the end, the congregation made the decision to close.
Once that decision was made, Bethel members committed to closing well. Worship became a time of remembering and giving thanks. Former pastors returned to preach on themes of greeting, memory and blessing.
“We’ve had such meaningful worship these last months —a lot of remembering,” says Joyce Bauman. “Hearing pastors talk about the work we did while they were here reminded us of how God worked in and through us.”
The remembering has been honest, too. “It hasn’t always been easy,” admits Robert. “There were challenges. But that’s normal for any community, any church. And God remained faithful even then.”
Part of closing well meant discerning what would happen to the church building. Relief came when a growing Anabaptist congregation, bursting at the seams, purchased the property. Bethel hosted an open house for the new congregation and was thrilled when 200 to 250 people streamed through the building. “It was amazing,” Vera says. “Children were excited, and the place was alive with people. It was wonderful to see such energy.”
For Bethel members, it was bittersweet joy. “If you look at this from God’s eyes,” reflects Chester, “it’s not the end of church here. It’s just a different group of people continuing what God has always been doing in this place.”
Dave Tiessen, pastor, captured it in his annual report: “Through our grief we began to realize that what we had always wanted Bethel to be—a strong, Anabaptist Mennonite church, devoted to worship, biblical preaching, fellowship and community—God was now at work in making it happen right in front of us in our own building.”
As the final Sundays take place, the grief is real. “Some people said, ‘I thought Bethel would always be here’ or ‘I always thought I’d have my funeral here,’” Vera shares. “It won’t be the same.”
Yet there is hope. “Life changes, and the church changes with it,” says Joyce. “This hasn’t been a failure. It’s just a different chapter.”
For 78 years, Bethel Mennonite Church has lived out its calling. And in closing well, they leave behind not just a building, but a legacy of faithfulness, community and hope for the future.