The former Dentonia Park United Church building on Dawes Road north of Danforth is no more, as the congregation has moved in to share space with the still separate Hope United Church at Danforth and Main Street.
Rev. John Young-Jung Lee from Dentonia Park United said in an email that the church was forced in 2010 to decide whether to continue its mission in the face of declining membership and financial support. Members of the congregation built a consensus to “continue God’s mission through our ministry for the neighbouring community and the world. However, it was impossible to continue its ministry with keeping the building. There was no other option except transforming the building into the mission fund,” he wrote.
Though the congregation believes that the church is the people, and the building is where they gather, the decision was still an emotional one. The church held its first service in Hope United in November, 2011. Dentonia Park United is beginning its intercultural ministry for children, youth and young adults, and will continue its monthly services at True Davidson Acres and a local women’s shelter.
In the meantime, the former building on Dawes has now been razed. The owner is working on a proposed development of nine detached houses. The current owners of the property have not yet submitted a final plan for the site, but will likely do so by the end of the year, according to City Planner Francis Kwashie.
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