Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ozone Park. Photo Courtesy of Forgotten NY.
Three area churches with a combined history of more than 300 years will close this Sunday and reform as All Saints Lutheran Church.
Christ Lutheran in Ozone Park; St. Luke’s Lutheran in Woodhaven; and St. Philip’s Lutheran in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, voted to merge their respective congregations in an effort to save money at a time when membership at each individual church has steadily declined, according to St. Luke’s Deacon Roberta Detmers.
“It was decided over time that in order to continue to spread the ‘Good News’ and fulfill ‘The Great Commission’ a regional church may be where God was leading us,” Detmers said.
She explained how a committee of Southwest Queens’ Conference Lutheran churches has been mulling a possible merger since 2011, and that back in March each congregation voted to close their respective communities in order to come together in a new mission, at a neutral but temporary location in the region.
The new All Saints Lutheran for now will gather at the St. Luke’s site on 85th Street, until a permanent location is found.
Alex Blenkinsopp, spokesman for the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association said they’re following the news about the churches.
“St. Luke’s has been a valued member of Woodhaven for a very long time, and has even hosted some of our town halls,” Blenkinsopp said. “We hope that we will continue to have this vibrant faith community in our neighborhood for many years to come.”
Asked about the merger, Woodhaven resident and longtime St. Luke’s member Peggy Finnegan said that it’s sometimes necessary to take a step back in order to go forward.
“We need to look at the history of the 107-year-old church and congregation,” Finnegan said. “We have one member in her mid-90s, who was baptized in this church. It might be difficult for some to have this change, but if the Spirit leads us, how can we say ‘No’?”
Finnegan went on to recount some of the rich history of St. Luke’s.
“Our worship services were first held in the hall of Hook and Ladder Company 1, Snediker Avenue (now 78th Street) near Fourth Street (Union Course), Woodhaven, before establishing the present location,” she said. “This was a volunteer fire company. In fact, the fire bell was donated to our church when the volunteer company was disbanded. It is now used to call the community to worship every Sunday.”
Finnegan also said she will be sad to leave the historic building. She noted that the church’s stained-glass windows were manufactured by the same company that made windows for the Cloisters and Riverside Church, depicting the highlights of Jesus’s life and parables.
“They have been used as a teaching tool in Sunday school and Confirmation class for many years,” Finnegan added. “As a member of this church for over 30 years, I have valued every friendship I have made and look forward to making new friendships when—together as a new family—we begin worshipping together in peace and harmony.”
A bilingual “Moving Forward/Closing Service” will take place Sunday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m. The “Resurrection/Opening Service” will be held later the same day at 4 p.m. Both services will be at St. Luke’s in Woodhaven.
By Alan Krawitz alan.krawitz1@gmail.com
