Christ Church reaches out for assistance as it struggles to survive

NORTH CANAAN — Is Christ Church about to close its doors? A decision by members of the Episcopal church is expected in early March.It all depends on what happens in the next six weeks.The church leadership is seeking community support. They have long struggled to meet rising financial needs, while membership dropped off. Community members say a core group of highly dedicated members have kept it going for quite a while.“It is true of so many Episcopal churches, and probably most churches, that we’re just not getting the younger people in,” said Lynn Curtis, senior warden at Christ Church. “Membership is aging and less and less able to do what needs to be done. “It could just be a phase that we have to deal with, and things will get better. We can hope for that.”But church members feel the time has come to deal with the situation on a very practical basis. Last November, as the Rev. Rosalie Richards was leaving after a relatively short but inspiring ministry, the congregation decided it was time to take stock. The church has not been able to afford a full-time pastor for some time, and have used the services of a “supply minister” since.Built in 1846, three years after the parish was established, Christ Church (at the intersection of Route 44 and Granite Avenue) is a classic piece of architecture that is part of the historic beauty of the town center. It was designed by renowned Greek Revival architect Richard Upjohn, who also designed Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York City. His grandson, Hobart Upjohn, designed the freestanding clock tower, built in 1934.The church was built 12 years before Canaan split into North Canaan and Canaan (Falls Village). The Town Hall once stood on Granite Avenue, adjacent to the church. A survey marker on the church notes it as the physical center of town. The Doughboy Monument, honoring veterans, is essentially on the same grounds, and the town’s official lighted Christmas trees are behind it. From their little hilltop, they all overlook Main Street and the historic Canaan Union Station and Collins Diner.“The church was built in times that were really, really good,” Curtis said. “Old buildings are expensive to maintain and heat. We are forced like so many churches to make tough decisions. Our expenses keep going up, just like everyone else’s. We don’t get a break because we are a church. So when our income drops, we can’t go on as we had been.”Many churches have long held on with the resource of endowments. At one time, it was commonplace for people to include their church in their will. That rarely happens these days, and savings and investments are no longer earning enough interest to fill the budget gap.The appeal to townspeople is a “last shot,” Curtiss said, to get the attention of the community. They are looking for any help or suggestions that will allow them to continue with their worship and community missions, which include the Treasure Shop, community dinners and communion services at local senior residences.Grants, donations and space sharing are all options. An influx of new members would be ideal. Newcomers will find a church still vital in its spirit.Selling the building and moving elsewhere is not a viable option. Proceeds would go to the diocese. But they are considering a temporary move, possibly to the chapel at Geer Village, where Richards led worship for Geer residents.“We could be moving toward a very positive thing,” Curtiss said. “There are people who live there who may join us, and since it is such a public place, we may find others joining us.”The current plan is for parishioners to take a vote following the March 4 worship service.For information and find out what can be done, contact Christ Church at 860-824-7410, Christchurch@yahoo.com or PO Box 965, North Canaan, CT 06018.