BREAKING: St. James Episcopal Church in Milton-Freewater has officially closed its doors after the final service held on January 18, 2024. The congregation, once vibrant, dwindled to just a handful of loyal attendees, prompting church officials to make the difficult decision.
The last service, marked by warm greetings and familiar hymns, served as a poignant farewell to a community that has witnessed a significant decline in membership. Lynn Crawford, a dedicated member since 1976, noted, “We just ran out of people. Everybody got old or sick or moved away.” With attendance dropping to as few as seven or eight congregants, the financial burden of maintaining the church became unsustainable.
This closure reflects a troubling national trend. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, the number of Americans identifying as Christian has fallen by 9% since 2014, with only 33% of Christians attending services at least monthly. The decline in church attendance is particularly pronounced among younger generations, who are increasingly disengaging from religious practices.
Crawford recalls that the church had once thrived, offering Sunday School and various community activities. However, as younger families moved away and the aging congregation struggled to recruit new attendees, the situation deteriorated. “It just dribbled down,” Crawford lamented. The church had previously relied on bequeathed endowments to stay afloat, but financial viability became impossible as attendance waned.
In light of the closure, the church board has allocated $10,000 to explore the feasibility of relocating the historic sanctuary to the Frazier Farmstead Museum in Milton-Freewater. However, progress has stalled, with challenges in finding suitable moving experts. Museum officials express interest in the relocation, noting it could fulfill a need for indoor event space, but financial and logistical hurdles remain.
In a heartfelt closing message, Bishop Patrick Bell encouraged the remaining congregation to embrace hope amid the loss. “With every ending is a new beginning,” he stated. “We are not closing a church; we are closing a building. You are the church.”
As the bells of St. James fall silent, the community reflects on the impact of declining religious participation and what the future may hold for their cherished gathering space.
Stay tuned for updates on the church’s potential relocation and the ongoing discussion about the future of St. James Episcopal Church.
