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Originally published in the Trail Times on November 20, 2025

A new Anglican parish has been formed in the South West Kootenay region, bringing together six congregations under a single leadership team.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Trail, along with Bishop Lynne McNaughton, has announced the appointment of Rev. Juliet Thondhlana as team leader for the newly established Area Parish of The Churches of the Transfiguration.  

The regional parish includes St. Andrew’s in Trail, St. John’s in Fruitvale, St. David’s in Castlegar, St. Paul’s in Salmo, St. Stephen’s in New Denver, and Christ Church in Creston.

Rev. Thondhlana began her new role on Oct. 1 and will work with local priests, deacons, and lay ministers to support worship and pastoral services across the area.  She is next scheduled to be in Trail on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m., and community members are invited to attend the service at St. Andrew’s to meet her.  

Rev. Martha Fish of St. Andrew’s said the appointment represents an important step in strengthening ministry across the region

“Rev. Juliet as our team leader, working with local clergy and lay leaders, we expect to have enhanced ministry capability, shared resources and consistent high-quality worship for Greater Trail and the surrounding region,” Fish told the Trail Times.  

Rev. Thondhlana comes to the Kootenays with more than 14 years of experience in ministry.  Born and raised in Zimbabwe, she is ordained in the United Methodist Church-Zimbabwe and has served in four different parishes.

Her work has focused on counselling, youth ministry, preaching, and interfaith collaboration, with a strong emphasis on social justice and equity.  

She holds a master’s degree in ministry and theology (social justice advocacy), along with a BA in theology and religious studies, and several diplomas in theology, religious studies, pastoral care, and systemic family counselling.  

She is married to Rev. Fredrick Thondhlana, a minister at Nelson United Church.  The couple has one daughter, Blessing, and is now settling into life in the region.  

Outside of her ministry work, Rev. Thondhlana enjoys prayer and meditation, travelling, and watching documentaries and movies.

She has expressed enthusiasm for serving the churches and communities of the South West Kootenay region.  

The Nov. 23 service in Trail offers an opportunity for residents to get to know Rev. Thondhlana and learn more about the vision for the newly formed Area Parish of The Churches of the Transfiguration.  All are welcome to attend.  

This new chapter builds on a long legacy of Anglican presence in the region.  

The first Anglican service in Trail was held on Feb. 9, 1896, by Rev. Henry Irwin, better known as “Father Pat.”  A new church was built at Pine and Eldorado in 1898, with the opening service held the following year.  

Father Pat died in 1902, just a few years later, and several memorials were created in his honour.  A parish hall was added in 1913, and a rectory was built in 1937.

As the congregation outgrew the original building, the church was rebuilt in 1955.  In the late 1960s, St. George’s Anglican Church in Rossland was destroyed by fire.  

The parishes of Rossland and Trail later united in 1982, further shaping the Anglican community as it is today.  With Rev. Thondhlana’s leadership and the formation of the Area Parish, the church enters another period.

You can read the original article at the Trail Times website.