All Saints' church will hold its final service on Sunday

From Newark-

All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Bergenfield, a congregation with a history dating back more than a century, will close its doors on Sunday.

Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark will preside at the final worship service at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 5.

Members of the congregation are in various stages of denial and anger stages, although some at least are admitting the realities that caused Beckwith to make the ultimate decision to close the church.

The congregation was down to 15 to 18 members – all over age 50 – who were attending services in recent months.

"We have no youth," said senior warden Eileen Frisby of Dumont, who has been a member for more than 30 years.

She said Her daughter, Sarah, was baptized and confirmed there "and I had hoped to see her walk down the aisle there."

The diocese released a statement:

"The Bishop, with the advice and consent of the diocesan Standing Committee, has made this sad and difficult decision after two years of candid conversation with All Saints’ leadership.

"The decision was necessary due to All Saints’ declining membership, which has reached a level at which viable and sustainable ministry is not possible."

More here-

http://www.northjersey.com/news/123003378_All_Saints__church_will_hold_its_final_service_on_Sunday_.html