Christ Episcopal Church in Avon has announced it will be closing its doors for good at the end of this month.
According to Marge Griffin, senior warden at Christ Church, 35 members in good standing of the church voted at a special meeting on Nov. 18 to dissolve the parish. Years of declining membership, financial issues and changing demographics were given as the reasons for the closure.
David Paye, Christ Church assistant treasurer, said that in the beginning of 2012, membership totaled 110 people. That number has dropped throughout the year to below 100 people, he said. Griffin said 64 members left in 2010-2011 ”“ many of them with children in search of a church with more young families. At one point in the church’s history, said Karin Hamilton, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, membership was as high as 223 families.
Was established in 1845 and seats 300. With ASA of 35 it gets very depressing to worship in a church with 90 percent of the seats empty. Hard to believe that in 2002 (just a decade ago) the parish reported about 400 members. Statmann
I wonder what the back story of all those families leaving is.