On January 18, 2024, St. James Episcopal Church in Milton-Freewater conducted what is believed to be its final worship service, marking the end of an era for a congregation that has dwindled in size over the years. The church community gathered for a bittersweet farewell, filled with warmth and nostalgia, despite the impending closure.
Lynn Crawford, a dedicated member since 1976, played the historic 1875 reed organ as musician Clark Colahan provided flute accompaniment during the service. Attendees shared laughter and stories, unaware that this gathering would signal the end of regular worship in the church. The decision to close was made on August 17, 2023, but Crawford emphasized that the decline had been ongoing for some time.
The dwindling congregation mirrors a broader trend observed across the United States. According to a Pew Research Center study released in 2025, the number of Americans identifying as Christian has decreased by 9% since 2014 and by 16% since 2007. The report highlights that only 33% of Christians attend religious services at least monthly, with participation steadily declining since 2020.
Challenges in Sustaining the Congregation
Crawford noted that the decline in attendance at St. James has been gradual. The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon reduced the church’s priest position from full-time to part-time and, eventually, to monthly services. He explained, “We just ran out of people. Everybody got old or sick or moved away.” The church, which once thrived with a larger congregation, has seen its numbers dwindle to just a handful of loyal attendees.
Financial support for the church has come primarily from endowments, but attendance continues to falter. Crawford remarked, “The utilities cost thousands of dollars to run the church for seven or eight people.” The lack of younger members has exacerbated the situation, as fewer families are available to participate in activities such as Sunday School, which was once a significant aspect of church life.
Despite the challenges, church officials encouraged members to continue enjoying their time together. This encouragement came as the community prepared for the inevitable closure, with some members already recognizing the signs of decline.
Future Possibilities and Reflections
In the wake of the church’s closure, the board decided to allocate remaining funds to local ministries and student scholarships. They also set aside $10,000 to explore the feasibility of relocating St. James’ sanctuary to the nearby Frazier Farmstead Museum. However, as of now, that prospect remains uncertain.
Crawford expressed concerns about the potential costs and logistics of moving the church building. “If they can move it, it’s going to take lots of money to do that,” he explained. Meanwhile, museum director Dawn Fehrenbacher has been working with church officials to identify potential moving companies, but the industry is facing its own challenges due to an aging workforce.
In his final address during the last service, Bishop Patrick Bell encouraged the congregation to grieve but also to hold onto hope for the future. “With every ending is a new beginning. You will hold this now for the rest of your life,” he said, emphasizing that the spirit of the church extends beyond its physical building.
As the doors of St. James Episcopal Church close for the final time, the legacy of its community continues, and its members are reminded that they are the heart of the church, regardless of the building’s status.
