Shenandoah's Bethany-First United Methodist church to close

DAVID LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - The Bethany - First United Methodist church in Shenandoah on December 25th 2016. The church will close on January 1st due to dwindling membership and financial difficulties

SHENANDOAH - One of the oldest churches in Shenandoah is closing after 150 years.

The Bethany-First United Methodist Church, formed in 1866 shortly after the incorporation of the borough of Shenandoah, cites dwindling membership, rising expenses, and falling revenue as reasons for the closure, just as many churches in our area have over the past several years. This year, the church had as few as 62 members.

The church began in 1866, with services held in the Old Brown Schoolhouse at Lloyd and West Streets, until a church was built in 1868. 

The church held its final worship service at 11:30am today.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO - Bethany-First United Methodist Church as it stood in 1910.

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