The departure of people in the wake of the disputes over homosexuality in the Episcopal Church has forced the closing of a Watertown church.
The Rev. Stanley C. Kemmerer, priest-in-charge of Christ Church, said about 20 members who were at the meeting — of about 50 he said would consider themselves related to the church — immediately discussed their options….
Kemmerer said the church faced financial troubles even before most members split in January 2008 to create New Hope Anglican Church. which now meets at Swift Middle School. He said the congregation had dipped into the church’s endowment for years and by the time of the schism, most of the money had been depleted.
Kevin Kallsen, senior warden of New Hope, said he was not surprised the diocese chose to close the building because it costs $65,000 each year to maintain it, not including salaries and insurance.
“I don’t know if I’m sad as much as reminded that this is a reminder of the old church,” he said. “An old building on an old block. Emptied.”
This is a very poorly chosen title. What happened with our departed friends has little to do with the tight knit group of people that have rebuilt a community dedicated to high church and welcoming newcomers. We enjoyed the beautiful church that they left behind, but we will find our own appropriate location like they did.
You may be right; it may be a poorly chosen title – however, it seems clear that the group which left felt constrained to do so because of theological controversy. It may also be accurate to say, as I’ve since heard, that the decision to close the building was based purely on fiscal considerations. If that’s true then it also bears pointing out that Episcopal Church attendance has been dropping sharply for some time now. I think it’s fair to say that this problem has theological as well demographic roots.