Despite closing, North A leboro church hopes to see its community outreach continue

NORTH ATTLEBORO — It’s unclear what’s going to happen to the property of the First United Methodist Church that is set to close in May, but there are hopes of continuing the church’s mission of serving the community.

The church announced last week it’s planning to shut its doors after a final service May 19 after years of declining membership and financial difficulties — challenges that a growing number of churches in the area and across the country are facing.

The iconic church that has roots stretching back to 1858 is located in a prominent location at the intersection of Route 1 and Hoppin Hill Avenue, and its hilly front lawn is well-known for its annual pumpkin display and children sledding.

The Pumpkin Patch — the church’s main fundraiser, has been held the last 16 Octobers, raising much-needed money for community outreach.

For a third year in a row this past year, sales hit a record-setting number.

With money raised from pumpkin sales, sale of flowers, and donations, church ministries were able to continue, including support groups, community events, assisting local collection drives, and monetary and food donations to Lenore’s Pantry — the town food pantry.

Many projects have been undertaken by the congregation in recent years, including opening its doors to various support/recovery groups in the community for the last five years.

Most recently, a little free-standing food pantry has been located on the Route 120 side.

“Our little pantry was something we wanted to do to complement Lenore’s Pantry,” church treasurer Lynne Silver said. “Although the church attempts to keep it stocked with shelf-stable items, it really relies on the generosity of anyone willing to donate. It’s our ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ ministry that really defines how this church saw itself as a helpful and central partner in the fabric of this community.”

In the 1980s and 90s, the church had a bustling clothing ministry and in the 90s and early 2000s a supplemental food pantry in a closet just off the church office.

What happens with the latest pantry, the recovery groups, and the pumpkin patch will likely depend on what happens with the church building, which opened in 1963 and could be sold or torn down.

Once the church closes, the property is being turned over to the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church.

“In the closing resolution, First UMC asked the Conference Trustees to give those renting the parsonage first right of refusal to purchase the parsonage at fair market value, to set aside some of the property for a yet unnamed non-profit, and to sell remaining land in order to fulfill obligations to the New England Conference,” said the Rev. Megan Stowe, superintendent of the Commonwealth West District, New England Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Several area churches are said to be interested in working with pumpkinsusa to keep a patch locally.

Congregants and former parishioners of the church continue to lament its closing.

“I was baptized, confirmed, and married at FUMC. I have not been actively involved in the church for almost twenty years, but my family was involved there for decades,” said Tasha Buzzell, who chairs the local school committee. “There have been many prior discussions about selling the location, so this does not come as a surprise, although it is a sad announcement.

“I remember prior

when the church was a vibrant community,” Buzzell said. “The church has been struggling” since former pastor John Knight and his wife Hazel retired to Florida.

In 1986, Knight became the church’s 22nd minister, and under his direction, an educational wing, extended sanctuary and fellowship hall — later named for him, were dedicated in December 1989.

“People make a church, and membership has dwindled,” Buzzell said. “I have loved seeing kids picking out pumpkins and sledding on the front hill to bring some activity back. It certainly makes me nostalgic, but I am also concerned about what will become of that hill, a local landmark in many ways.”

There has been talk in town Patriot Subaru next door is interested in the church land.

“At this point we will not be offering comment,” car dealership owner and president Adam Arens said.

Since 2020, First UMC has been served by a ministry team — two lay ministers who belong to other churches.

The coordinating pastor of First UMC for this past year has been Cal Carpenter of Centenary United Methodist Church in Attleboro.

“There are other Methodist churches that are also struggling throughout the New England area as well. Centenary United Methodist Church is holding its own,” Carpenter said. “Like all denominations in this area, elderly folks pass on, some young folks move to new jobs out of state, and some are working extra jobs to keep food on the table, which prevents them from coming to worship.

“We have a dedicated group of people who are involved with community ministries as well as our own personal ministries,” Carpenter said of Centenary. “We also have the Hebron Food Pantry, the AAIC Food N Friends, and the Illuminate youth group that support and keep the church active as well as other minor users of the facility.

“It is sad to note that all denominations have been affected since the COVID pandemic,” Carpenter said. “Attendance has dwindled nationwide to the point that somewhere around 56% of the nation population never attend weekly worship services, while only 11% do attend weekly, 9% every two weeks. It is sad to note that it usually takes a national crisis, like a war to bring people back to church.”

The decision to close First UMC was voted upon by church membership April 7, and that followed a 1 1/2-year study by church and district members.

The church has just 49 members and average attendance at services has numbered only 8 to 10 for the last year. During the 1980s, the congregation ran over 300.