Mahanoy’s first church preparing to close
MAHANOY CITY – Mahanoy City’s first house of worship, older than the borough itself, appears ready to close.
On Feb. 5, the First Presbyterian Church’s session, the board which operates the church, voted to begin the closure process, according to the church’s Facebook page.
Gary J. Perna, Jr., Clerk of Session, said a congregational meeting is set for Sunday, Feb. 26 at 10am as part of the process. There, a vote will be taken on the matter.
“We are asking that you please make every effort possible to attend this meeting,” Perna wrote to members in the post.
He said once the vote takes place, the Lehigh Presbytery will appoint an administrative commission to oversee the closure of the building and the disbanding of the congregation.
A special closing service will be held on March 12 at 3pm for all members to “come and worship one last time in the building.”
The church, at 89 South Main Street, was founded in 1862 by Scottish settlers, one year before Mahanoy City’s incorporation as a borough.