Staff photos / Bob Coupland Bishop Anne B. Jolly of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio presided over the final service Sunday at St. James Episcopal Church in Boardman, which was founded in 1809. With Jolly is Dr. David Belvedere, senior warden at the church.

BOARDMAN — After more than 200 years in the community, St. James Episcopal Church had its final worship service Sunday.

The church, founded in 1809, is officially closing its doors.

Bishop Anne B. Jolly of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio presided over the final service, which was attended by more than 100 people, including current and past church members and representatives of other churches who filled the sanctuary.

Jolly’s message was that the congregation had to make a difficult but faithful decision.

“You will carry the legacy of St. James forward as you begin a new chapter. Go and share your love and faith with others. The people of St. James have been doing that since they have been here. It is not about the building you are in, but being with God,” Jolly said,

She said members will continue their faith by being part of other Episicopal and Lutheran congregations.

“We cling to hope. There is a natural life cycle of things to die and then others to begin. In every closing there is opportunity for new ministry and new life. No church was consecrated to last forever,” Jolly said.

Many of the items used at the church, such as the chalice and paten, processional cross, book of the Gospels and baptismal pitcher, will be given to other churches, such as St. James in Painesville and St. John’s in downtown Youngstown. She said the items were early gifts from a church in Connecticut.

The church’s congregational records and documented history were given to the diocesan archivist.

Also, Jolly gave sacramental blessings to baptismal font, lectern and altar.

Jolly said since she has served as bishop for the area, she has seen the closing of Episcopal churches in Niles, Boardman, Salem and Lisbon.

The Rev. Maureen Major, who served as pastor from July 2022 to November 2025, said she will always remember being ordained as a minister at the church.

“We tried many alternative liturgies while I was here and I will take that with me,” Major said.

Senior Warden David Belvedere said he will miss seeing many of the people who have been members over the years. He said the original church at Boardman Park was used by the congregation from 1829 to 1972 and more recently for special events.

Sharyn Fees of Poland said she has been with the church since age 7.

“Today was very heartwarming,” Fees said.

Paula Ulicny of Poland said she has been a part of the church since she was a child.

”We have all worked so hard to keep the church alive, but now we can’t. I have always been Episcopalian, so it will be hard to change so I will go to St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Youngstown. I know others who are going to Bethel Lutheran Church,” Ulicny said.

Dan Ulicny of Youngstown said he grew up in the church.

“I will always have the memories of this church no matter where I am. I remember the times when the church was so full of people on Sundays,” he said.

Veronica Ceraolo of Sharpsville, Pa., played the music for the final service.

“I have been here for nine years as the music director. God sent me here. The people of this parish have been so warm and welcoming. The hardest part for me today was when she said the church is closed. That was very hard to hear. I can deal with a lot, but that was hard,” Ceraolo said.

She said the anthem theme was “Trust in the Lord.”

“It is so appropriate as people decide where they are going to worship. They need to have that trust in the Lord,” Ceraolo said.

Ginger Mangie of Canfield said the anthem today was in memory of her husband, Mark Mangie, who sang in the choir. She said she and her husband were members since the 1970s and their son was baptized in the church.

“This is a hard change for so many,” Mangie said.

William Lawson said he attended the church as a boy and was baptized and confirmed there, but as a young adult, he left to join another faith.

He said he has contacts with the church on a historical basis as executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

“This event is an historical moment but also a personal moment for me,” he said.

St. James Episcopal Church is the oldest established congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.

The original church building was consecrated in 1829. The current church off Glenwood Avenue was opened in 1971 and has sheltered the congregation for 54 years.

Through the efforts of the Boardman Historical Society, community groups and members of the church, funds were raised to relocate the old church to Boardman Township Park, and it still stands as the oldest structure in the township. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

In recent years, the congregation returned to the old church twice a year for the feast day of its patron St. James in July and the service of Advent Lesson and Carols in December, which was the last event that took place at that church.

In October, the church members voted to discontinue and dissolve the congregation.

Jolly said while the congregation members will gather in other communities of faith, Sunday marked the end of an era but also the beginning for new opportunities for worship and service.