PALMERSTON – When James Street United Church officially opens for worship here this month it will be a new church with a long history and deep roots in two communities.
Due to decreasing attendance and the expense of maintaining facilities, the congregations of two long-established houses of worship, Moorefield United Church and Palmerston United Church, will formally amalgamate to form the new entity, with the approval of the United Church of Canada.
“We have been sharing ministry personnel with Palmerston United for several years as neither church could financially support a full-time minister,” notes Moorefield United treasurer and church council secretary Lynda Duncliffe.
“With declining attendance and an ageing congregation, it has become impractical to operate two large buildings.”
She added, “The difficult decision was made to combine resources by amalgamation and, as Palmerston United is more accessible, the Palmerston building has been chosen for the new James Street United Church.”
An official closing service will be held at Moorefield United Church on Sept. 11. The church was founded in 1868. Photo by Patrick Raftis
The amalgamation is the result of years of meetings and votes, said Palmerston United Church administrator Deanna Martin.
Martin pointed out a shortage of ordained ministers coming out of seminaries in recent years has impacted smaller rural congregations in their efforts to attract clergy.
“This is the best solution for all going forward,” said Martin.
“We’re hoping that coming together means that we can hire a minister and reinvigorate our congregation.”
‘Fresh start’
“We’re really excited about this fresh start and looking forward to gaining new members of our church family,” said Palmerston United Church council chair Diane Speers.
Martin noted physical church attendance has been on the decline for some time and the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw churches closed and services moved online, shifted people away from physical church attendance.
“We did Zoom worship for a while,” Martin pointed out.
Palmerston United Church council chair Diane Speers stands by one of the recently restored stained glass windows in the church. Submitted photo
The decline in attendance, of course, goes beyond any one church.
In this area, United Churches in Gorrie and Wroxeter closed earlier this summer and Fordwich United Church closed last year.
The decision to amalgamate will mean both existing churches will formally shut down operations, although the new James Street United will be located in the former Palmerston United Church building at 215 James Street in Palmerston.
Moorefield United Church, which was founded in 1868, will hold an official closing service on Sept. 11 at 10:30am. The final service will be followed by a lunch.
A closing service for Palmerston United, which was established in 1886, will be held on Sept. 18 at 10:30am.
Former Palmerston United Church minister John Benham will lead the final service at that church, which will include a dedication of stained glass windows that were restored at a cost of around $4,000 each with funds raised through an Adopt-A-Window campaign that began in 2018.
The window restoration was completed while the church was closed through the COVID-19 pandemic and Martin said church officials wanted to ensure donors are recognized.
A lunch, catered by the United Church Women’s Association, will follow the Sept. 18 service.
Service of Constitution
The Service of Constitution of the new James Street United is set for Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10:30am.
This service will be led by Rev. Colin Snyder, minister at Wingham/Bluevale United Churches, and also followed by a luncheon.
“Rev Snyder has been instrumental in helping us navigate the process of amalgamation and in making sure everything comes together smoothly,” said Martin.
