MCADOO -- The last protestant church in McAdoo faces the threat of closing, because fewer people are actually church members. So an effort is underway to raise money to keep the church open.
Christ Reformed United Church of Christ on East Washington Street has been in McAdoo since 1896. In it's heyday, the pews were filled with members, sometimes standing room only.
Over the past few years, some church goers moved out of the area, others passed away. Last year, church members realized the end could be near.
"We made the hard decision to ask for our pastor's resignation at the end of the year and he accepted because he knew the problems we were having," said Gary Potter.
Potter has attended Christ United and is leading the charge to save the church, if not forever, at least one more year. That would mean the church could at least celebrate its 120th anniversary.
So Potter set up a GoFundMe page.
"We are a definite asset to the community. We do the clothing drive the food drives, and the giving trees, and the food drives. Many of the congregation this is the only church they've ever known," Potter added.
While many churches are struggling and most are consolidating their congregations. Christ Reformed says that's not something it can do. It's the only Protestant church left in McAdoo."I really hope we can keep the doors open," said Church Member John Wesner.
"I really hope we can keep the doors open," said church member John Wesner.
Wesner was baptized at Christ Reformed when he was a teenager and just can't imagine not coming to church here on Sundays. That's been his family tradition for more than 60 years.
"It means everything. It's the only church I went to all my life. We had three sons they were all altar boys here. Everyone in my family was raised in here," Wesner added.
The church is hoping to raise $10,000 to get them through the end of the year.
Anyone interested in donating to the church's GoFundMe page do so here: Christ Reformed UCC GoFundMe