LUZERNE COUNTY -- After nearly 150 years, a church in Luzerne County closed its doors for the last time.
It was a very emotional day for the congregation and pastor at Park United Methodist Church in Freeland.
Folks came out to the church for the final service, including John Orr of Allentown.
He said the last service was heartbreaking. “Number one, when you spend your teenage years here and Sunday school and everything… it was my home.”
Orr was baptized and married at this church. His wife was even a pastor at Park United Methodist.
“It’s very hard breaking for many people. It’s been a long congregation. 142 years is a very long time,” he added.
Pastor Charles Engleheart has been pastor at the church for five years and said the church is closing due to a smaller congregation, a sign of changing times.
“It’s not just this church, it’s many churches. People don’t have the belief in God or the dedication, and that’s the sad part,” Pastor Engleheart said.
No message was given at the service, only Bible readings and songs, since Pastor Engleheart wanted his congregation to have fellowship with one another one final time.
Now, the members of this longtime congregation will decide where to worship next Sunday… and all the Sundays after that.
No word of what will become of the church building that's stood for nearly 150 years in Luzerne County.