But with attendance stagnating, maintenance costs rising and the population of Christians from which to draw shrinking, the two have decided to join forces. If the Baltimore Presbytery gives its approval next month, they\u2019ll become one congregation before the end of the year, bringing more than 280 worshippers and 230 years of history together under one roof.<\/p>\n
The merger would be the latest example of an increasingly common phenomenon: faith leaders closing or consolidating houses of worship as a way of adjusting to a culture that has grown less hospitable to their mission.<\/p>\n
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has closed a net eight churches since 2007 and plans to shutter one more \u2014 174-year-old St. John\u2019s Episcopal Church in Charles Village \u2014 if the congregation can\u2019t present a feasible financial plan by January.<\/p>\n