UPDATE: St. James Episcopal Church in Milton-Freewater has closed its doors for the final time after its last service on January 18, 2023. The congregation, which dwindled to just 10 to 12 loyal attendees, has faced a significant decline, echoing a broader trend seen across the United States.
This urgent closure reflects a national crisis in religious participation. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans identifying as Christian has dropped by 9% since 2014 and 16% since 2007. Just 33% of Christians now attend services monthly, a concerning statistic that underscores the shrinking congregations nationwide.
Lynn Crawford, a dedicated member since 1976, described the church’s last service as bittersweet. “We just ran out of people. Everybody got old or sick or moved away,” he shared, highlighting the emotional toll of the decline. The church, which once thrived, has seen its attendance plummet, leading to the difficult decision to cease operations.
The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon had previously reduced the church’s priest support from full-time to monthly, a shift that reflected the dwindling numbers. “You can’t say it was just one time,” Crawford explained. “We didn’t have the generation that had the children, and Sunday School became a thing of the past.”
As the final service concluded, Bishop Patrick Bell urged the congregation to grieve but also to hold onto hope for the future. “We are not closing a church, we are closing a building. Dear friends, you are the church,” he stated, invoking the emotional connections built over decades.
In the wake of the closure, the church’s board has decided to allocate its remaining funds to local ministries and student scholarships, emphasizing a commitment to community support even as the church itself fades from the landscape. The board also voted to explore the feasibility of relocating the church’s sanctuary to the Frazier Farmstead Museum. However, the process has proven fraught with challenges, including finding the right experts for the move.
Museum Director Dawn Fehrenbacher remarked on the potential benefits of relocating the church building, noting the increasing demand for indoor event space. Yet, financial constraints and aging professionals in the moving industry pose significant hurdles. “It’s going to take lots of money to do that,” Crawford warned, reflecting on the church’s uncertain future.
As St. James Episcopal Church sits silent, the bell that once rang twice on Sundays now rests in stillness. The emotional weight of this closure resonates not only within the community but also reflects a broader societal shift away from traditional religious practices.
For those in Milton-Freewater, the end of St. James is not merely the closure of a building but a poignant reminder of changing times and the need for connection in an increasingly fragmented world. As congregants look toward what comes next, the hope remains that the spirit of St. James will live on in the community it served for so long.
What happens next? The situation will be monitored as discussions continue regarding the potential move and what the future holds for the congregation and the community. Further developments are expected as church officials and local leaders navigate these challenging transitions.
