After more than 100 years in the community, the Stratton United Church held its final service on Sunday and is closing down.
The decision was made due to a shrinking membership that’s been dwindling for years–an issue seen with congregations throughout Canada.
“It’s a sad thing, but it’s not a shocker,” said Frances Flook, who has been the serving minister at the Stratton United Church for seven years.
“Right from the onset of when I started, there was a recognition that [a closure] could be the direction they were going,” she added.
“That’s the direction the world is going, but specifically it’s a fairly common trend in United Churches–and rural areas especially–as there’s fewer people.”
From 1965 to 2006, United Church membership has fallen by half and has continued on a downward trend since.
It is estimated that 9,000 religious spaces in Canada will be lost over the next decade, according to National Trust for Canada, a Canadian charity that works to save old buildings.
This is primarily due to smaller congregations and rising maintenance costs for aging churches.
Prior to the Stratton United Church’s closure, there were approximately 10-12 regular worshippers who attended the twice-a-month service, according to Flook.
Over the years, the church has become a special place for many families who attended regularly, celebrated weddings there, and held funerals, baptisms, and other ceremonies.
“Certainly, at one point, it was a flourishing little congregation and it supported the community with the spiritual support and encouragement for people in Stratton and around Stratton,” Flook said.
The church’s board will now determine what will be done with the building and their next steps going forward.
“They are disbanding as a congregation at this point, I mean, there’s still work that has to be done, but they’re just ceasing worship at this point,” Flook explained. “Over the next month we’ll kind of make some decisions around that.”
While Flook also holds services for the United Churches in Rainy River and Emo, she said her bi-weekly visits to the church will always hold a special place in her heart.
“It was a wonderful, friendly little congregation and their presence will be missed in the community,” she lauded.
“It’s been an honour to journey with them for the time that I have.”
