(By Craig Fox, Watertown Daily Times, NY). As a wife of a pastor, Cindy L. Drew said her close relationship with God has been reinforced by her longtime connection with Hope Presbyterian Church.
But her more than 30-year involvement with the 121-year-old church on LeRay Street soon will come to a sorrowful end.
After years of a diminishing congregation and financial difficulties, the Hope Presbyterian Church will close after a final service on Sept. 24.
“It’s difficult,” she said. “It’s very emotional.”
She expects the congregation will shed lots of tears that day. She also believes that God will have a plan for her and the other church members, Ms. Drew said.
The congregation has always been there for each other. Members were there in support after her husband, Pastor Donald A. Drew, died four years ago.
“I don’t know how I would have gotten through it without them,” she said.
Since Nov. 19, 1896, Hope Presbyterian was “the beacon on the hill” at 518 LeRay St., starting with 97 members. Members always made Hope Presbyterian their church home. They were active in Sunday School, Bible study, choir, bazaar, teen and youth classes, Girl Scouts and in so many other ways.
The current congregation consists of only 13 members, with about nine or 10 attending weekly.