OF THE JOURNAL STAR

The last hymn was sung within the walls of United Disciples Christian Church on Sunday afternoon.

Tears were present as members said goodbye to their church on Kellogg Avenue, which has struggled with declining membership since its formation July 1, 2005, when two longtime Peoria congregations merged.

"It's been a trend throughout the nation," said Fred Carrell, president of the congregation. "Church is a lot more informal than it used to be," he said, adding that people now watch television or even listen to the radio to worship.

Four years ago, Howett Street Christian Church combined with West Bluff Christian Church, moving into its West Peoria quarters. The merged church was renamed United Disciples Christian Church. Members believed the joining of the nearly 100-year-old churches would put an end to their financial troubles, but instead, they continued.

Members said it was stressful to worry about the church's declining population and its finances, including a building that was eventually too large to maintain.

Minister Carol Bennett-Barker began the final church service at 3 p.m. but had to pause before her sermon when she began crying for the loss of the church. She has been the minister for the last 2 1/2 years and the music director for 21 years, beginning at West Bluff.

"It's sad, and it's very exciting," she said optimistically before taking the pulpit. "It's the blowing of the wind and setting people forth. I'm really looking forward to what's ahead."

Margie McGaughey, 87, of Peoria joined West Bluff in 1948. During her 61 years there, she has raised four children and attended church every Sunday.

"I'm happy for us," McGaughey said. "It was such a struggle, really a constant worry."

Those in attendance Sunday also offered additional reasons for United Disciples' demise including its traditional style of worship and the fact that the majority of the congregation is elderly.

"I think we have had a hard time keeping up with the changing of the times," said Dorthy Gilmore, chairperson of the Legacy Committee, which is in charge of dispensing the church's assets as well as organizing the final worship.

Lyndsey Genkins of Bartonville is one of the handful of youths at the church. The 17-year-old joined the church when she was in sixth grade and has witnessed the youth programs dissolve because of lack of numbers.

"They don't have a lot of kids here, and they don't know how to input them into worship," she said, adding that she is searching for a new church to join. "I look for the music, more rock-alternative, and not just sitting in the pew the whole time."

Throughout its history, the church has been the home to community organizations such as Boy Scouts and the Red Cross. To keep the community-oriented tradition alive, the church has donated the building to the city of West Peoria. Although the city has indicated it would accept the facility, the decision is not official.

City Alderman Merlin "Rocky" Mathewson attended the final services and addressed the congregation about his fond memories of the church and the community.

He said later that the city is in the first stages of hiring an architect to examine the building.

"We didn't want to jump into it in case there's a problem with it," he said. "If it does work out, it will be a great community center."

He said a discussion about the future of the building will be held at its next council meeting.

As for the members of the congregation, they will go their separate ways. Carrell said 11 other United Disciples Christian churches in the area have offered to help.

"Changes are hard on people," said Carrell. "But when one door opens another door closes."

 

Stephanie Gomes can be reached at 686-3194 or sgomes@pjstar.com.