Harry Stewart wasn't around when Christ Episcopal Church of Wellsburg opened in 1869, but he has been a member of the venerable house of worship for nearly 60 years.
Stewart will also be on hand Sunday when the church that has been a centerpiece of the Wellsburg community holds its last service and closes its doors for good.
Christ Episcopal Church at 280 Main St. has been more than just a place to gather and worship, Stewart said. It's more like an extended family.
I had a chance to meet with some of those family members last week.
"A big part of the service is the coffee hour after worship. You get to know people instead of just going to the service and walking out the door," said Stewart, a church member since 1953.
"We had pancake breakfasts and spaghetti suppers. It's like a family. To break that up is hard," he said.
"There is a chance we won't see a lot of them again. It's going to be real hard to go to another church. Even if it's an Episcopal church, you are still an outsider."
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When the members of a church's congregation no longer live in the community in which the church is located, it is a strong indication that the church faces a bleak future.
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