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First Christian Church to close

  • First Christian Church Disciples of Christ moved to their current location on South Main Street in 1968. File photo

  • First Christian Church's original church building was constructed in 1865. Contributed photo

By Kate Hayden | khayden@charlescitypress.com

First Christian Church is closing after over 150 years in Floyd County, congregational members announced this week. The last church service will be held July 31.

The church was organized in January 1862, board chairman Carole Severin said, and moved locations twice in the years the church was operating.

“We are closing because of a lack of membership, just like most small churches,” Severin said.

The church currently has eight active members. At one time, First Christian Church had over 200 congregants, Severin said. The church is led part-time by Pastor Margaret Hutchins of Mason City.

“The biggest thing we had going for us was our youth group on Wednesday night. It just died down,” Severin said. “We’re not getting any place, and somebody else may be able to use the building.”

The property, located at 807 South Main Street, is being handled by Stewart Realty, member and trustee Bob Durrwachter said.

“There are no set plans at this time,” said Durrwachter, who is handling the transition with fellow trustee Shaerron Ploeger. “It’s going to take months. We have to do something with all the physical assets of the church.”

“If we could find a non-profit organization that could afford the upkeep, we’d give it to them. We don’t have to sell it,” Severin said.

The church is also looking to sell furnishings to former members or give them away to other churches in the area.

It’s a difficult decision for a congregation to close the doors, Severin, who’s been a member for 53 years, said.

“(I) raised four children going to that church, and there’s some good people that have been in and out of there,” Severin said.

“It’s not a happy situation. It’s one of those inevitables,” Durrwachter said. “We’re seeing it as an opportunity to do new things.”

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