Staff photos / Guy Vogrin ... Struthers United Methodist Church had a community luncheon last week to thank the public for its support. The church is closing next month.

STRUTHERS — A longtime Struthers worship site will be closing, upon order of the United Methodist Eastern Ohio Conference.

Pastor Doug Theobald of the Struthers United Methodist Church said the closing was announced during last Sunday morning’s service. The superintendent from the district attended and read a letter detailing the conference and bishop’s decision.

“It didn’t sit well with the congregation,” Theobald said. “They said we’re not a vital church, basically serving no purpose. I would have to disagree with that.”

The letter said the Methodist officials considered the historic trends, present realities and input from the church.

Theobald said the local members overwhelmingly had voted not to close, but the bishop set a final worship service for May 21.

The church on Sexton Avenue has been serving the community since the late 19th century.

The church website states “it is a friendly Bible-based church with a welcoming congregation that believes in extending hospitality to all.”

Theobald said the congregation has come back from the COVID-19 pandemic to minister in community-service efforts such as feeding the needy. It also has a functioning youth group that goes on mission trips in the summer and meets regularly.

The pastor said the congregation dropped in number to about 28 on average per Sunday, but they still remain active. He said they recently added a Wednesday night service.

“We believe in reaching out into the community to share the love of Christ with our neighbors,,” the website states.

For years, the congregation has been a fixture at the Canfield Fair — with a food truck specializing in a sloppy joe recipe.

Theobald, who has been pastor at the church since 2009 and also served at the Lowellveille United Methodist Church, said the Wednesday night service was started to reach people who don’t worship on the weekends.

The pastor also is a 30-year career firefighter, a former lieutenant for the East Cleveland Fire Department who is now the Liberty Township fire chief.

He said the building dates back to 1911 and after the closing it will go back to the possession of district Methodist Conference through a contracted trust, a move that also didn’t sit well with his congregation. But the pastor remains confident the congregation will stay together.

“We will continue on, with a different name and in a different location,” Theobald said.