Staff photo / Bob Coupland St. James Episcopal Church members Sharyn Fees of Poland, Paula Ulicny of Poland, David Belvedere of Poland and David Ulicny of Youngstown sing Advent songs at the final Advent Lessons and Carols at the St. James Church meeting house at Boardman Park.

BOARDMAN — A few members of the congregation of St. James Episcopal Church braved cold weather and slippery roads to attend the final Advent Lessons and Carols on Dec. 14 at the St. James Church meeting house in Boardman Park.

This was the last gathering of the congregation in the historic building as the church will close its doors in mid-February.

Fifteen people, including a four-member choir, sang various Advent carols as church members took turns reading scripture.

Jeff Downey, parish administrator, thanked those who braved the cold weather to be at the last lessons and carols event at the church in the park.

“I know many of you wanted to be here because of the memories you have of this church. The people of St. James are very faithful,” he said.

He said the church will host its last service Feb. 15 at the main church site on Glenwood Avenue.

Downey said the historic Episcopal church was the first east of the Appalachians founded in 1809 by people of Connecticut. They met in people’s homes for about 20 years until the church was built in the park in 1827. The congregation worshipped there through 1971.

At one time the church was located near where the Southern Park Mall is before relocating to the park, Downey said.

Downey said the meeting house was moved to Boardman Park after the previous location near the Southern Park Mall was declared for commercial use. The current church was constructed in the early 1970s.

The church at the park is used each December for the lessons and carols service.

“The nice thing about having the church here is the legacy of St. James will always be alive as long as this building is here. The name of St. James will always be here because of this building,” he said.

MEMORIES

Paula Ulicny of Poland said her grandparents and parents have all been members of the church and now she and her son, David Ulicny of Youngstown, attend.

“We are the last generation who will be part of the church,” Paula said.

David said the final service was “bittersweet” since he was baptized at the church and grew up there.

Sharyn Fees of Poland said she was glad members could be at the old church one last time together.

“This was a beautiful event. We will always have memories,” said Michele DeRhodes of New Middletown.

Jim Shurtleff of Canfield said it was a difficult day, but everyone will find a new church to join.

John Hanson of Austintown said he hopes the members can get together as a group next Christmas regardless of where they attend to celebrate lessons and carols again.

Downey said the festival of lessons and carols dates back more than 100 years to England.

The final song sung by the congregation was “O Come Emmanuel” and Mary Snyder played “Let there be peace on Earth” for the dismissal.

The church is the oldest congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.

Downey said the church is closing because of decline in attendance and income.

The church building at the park is used as an historic building and a wedding venue.