How congregants from a small-town church gave it an ‘extended life’

Three years ago, a couple in Exeter, Ont., stepped up to save their church from closing its doors and being torn down. Thames Road-Elimville United was struggling financially and close to shuttering when congregant Sarah Govers and her husband, Dave, decided to purchase the church and its surrounding property.

“Generations of families have been going to this church, and it is kind of the hub of our little rural community,” says Govers, who also owns Govers Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch next door.

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Govers and her family grew up on the farm and now run it as an agrotourism business. Thames Road-Elimville United is her home church — she got married there and all three of her children were baptized in the sanctuary. “It’s a beautiful old building. I have an emotional attachment to the building, so we did some brainstorming and went back to the congregation and talked about something we could do,” she says.

The transaction took three years to complete because the church sits next to a cemetery, which required the involvement of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario. During this process, the church held fundraisers to keep the doors open, and congregants helped with cleaning and other tasks to cut costs. “Everyone was doing their part. It was a real community effort,” says Rev. Louise von Massow, the church’s minister.

As part of the deal, the Govers signed a 20-year agreement to maintain the property and cover all building-related costs while allowing the congregation to continue to use the building at no charge. The transfer of ownership was finalized on July 24, 2025, in a unanimous vote by the congregation and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council.

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“People are grateful that we get to continue. It’s really such a remarkable thing that has happened, that they allow us free use of the church. It really does change the financial pressure so much and gives us an extended life,” says von Massow.

The transaction has been beneficial for both parties. The Govers now own both the farm and the church as one property. Farmgoers can use the church parking lot and bathroom and even come in for some hot chocolate on rainy days. The Govers manage the upkeep of the space while allowing the congregation to continue their meetings without making any big changes.

Not stressing about the future has also allowed the church to think about its ministry and mission. “We have the energy and time to spend on our outreach,” says von Massow.

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This article first appeared in Broadview’s January/February 2026 issue.

Prarthana Pathak is a journalist in Brampton, Ont.

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