MAHANOY CITY, Pa. — Gary Perna, a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mahanoy City, and his family spend every Sunday morning singing the same hymns he learned as a kid.
"I've been coming here my entire life. I was baptized in this church, confirmed in the church," he said.
This was a place where Perna's ancestors worshiped as well, according to his grandmother.
"We're on our seventh consecutive generation in this church. My great-grandmother joined this church in its first ten years of it being formed," added Lois Morgan, a lifelong church member.
The First Presbyterian Church of Mahanoy City was founded 162 years ago, that's older than Mahanoy City itself, making it a church and a historical building.
"This was the first congregation to settle in Mahanoy City. It was the first house of worship in Mahanoy City. We're getting to the point where, unfortunately, it may join the growing list of churches here in the small borough that may have to close," Perna explained.
Because many church members are turning to worship alternatives online since the pandemic, folks here say not attending church in person is having a negative impact on small churches like this one and others throughout Schuylkill County.
"Since the pandemic, we've seen a downturn in people, and we've started doing Zoom so people can join from home," added Perna.
Members say online attendees are less inclined to donate to the church. And it's becoming a problem that Perna says could cause the church to close permanently by the beginning of next year if something isn't done to raise enough money for church upkeep.
"If this church goes, I sort of feel like the town is going," said Morgan.
Seeing her grandson grow up in this church, Morgan prays that he will also get to raise his children at the First Presbyterian Church of Mahanoy City too and keep its history alive.
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