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Last Sunday Service

Area residents say they’re disappointed the First Church United will permanently close its doors, but during the church’s final Sunday service they said they would continue to look at the positive.
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Former minister Ken Moffatt speaks for the last time at First Church United on Sunday. (Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com)
Area residents say they’re disappointed the First Church United will permanently close its doors, but during the church’s final Sunday service they said they would continue to look at the positive.

The congregation for the First Church United formed in 1926. The church served the community on the corner of Brock Street and Ford Street for 84 years. Dwindling attendance and finances forced the church to close its doors in mid-March.

The church held a final service on Sunday with about 400 people in attendance.

Myron Cory attended the service with his wife Mary and daughter Hayleigh. He first attended the church in the ‘60s and kept going ever since. His uncle Ken Moffatt was a minister at the church until 1998, and Cory said because of that he has always viewed the place of worship as a family church.

"I have very fond memories of the church," Cory said. "It’s disappointing that it is the final service and it’s unfortunate to see that there isn’t enough activity going on in the church."

Cory, who now attends Wesley United Church, said he noticed an empty parking lot near First Church United and wondered why the church didn’t take the opportunity for more parking space. He later realized the church didn’t need the space because few people were regularly attending.

Alexander Skochinski, 22, has had a long history with the church. Many members of his family were baptized there, including his mother and grandmother.

"We saw this coming and we’re not terribly surprised that we’re in this situation," Skochinski said. "I’m here to reaffirm some of the friendships that I’ve had and kick it off with something positive. Some of my closest friends have come out of here. We’re here to pay tribute to them."

Dot Wilson hadn’t attended a service at First Church United for sometime. Wilson, in her 80s, said she couldn’t find a way to get over to the church so she went to one that was closer to where she lived. She originally lived in Ottawa Valley but moved when her husband, an OPP office, was transferred.

"I’ve gone to this church for a while," Wilson said. "I really liked it. It was a nice church."

Former minister Ken Moffatt retired from the church in 1998. He led the service off and on before he introduced some keynote speakers.

With television, video games, blockbuster movies and other distractions, residents would rather stay home on Sunday instead of getting up for church, he said.

The church ran out of the basement until 1951 when the sanctuary was finally built and in 1967 the Christian education wing was added to the building. Moffat said in those days church attendance was booming with more than 800 children registered for Sunday school.

"It’s a sad day for us but we’re gathered to celebrate the church and commit ourselves to the future whatever that may bring," Moffatt said. "Like many congregations there is a decline in the number of people that are participating in worship services. But in another parts of the world we hear congregations are doing splendidly."

He said he expected about 500 people to come to the service. He added that the building will go up for sale and suspected another church may purchase it.






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