Diocese of North Carolina Announces Two Church Closings
The Diocese of North Carolina recently announced the imminent closing of two Wake County churches: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Garner, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh. Both will close their doors later this spring.
“The leadership teams of both St. Christopher’s and St. Mark’s, in partnership with the Diocese, have for several years worked tirelessly, expending every effort and exploring every avenue to create a sustainable plan for their congregations,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “Unfortunately, COVID was the final complication, and the respective leadership teams have, after much discernment and prayer, decided the best way forward is to close.”
St. Christopher’s was founded in 1959, with parishioners originally meeting in individual homes. They have worshiped in their current church building since 1971, providing a spiritual home to parishioners “from all walks of life and all corners of the globe.”
St. Mark’s was founded in 1963 and, like St. Christopher’s, originally worshiped in an alternate space, in their case, Enloe High School. They moved to their current location in 1967, and ever since have maintained an intentional focus not just on church members, but the surrounding community as well.
The closing of the churches does not necessarily mean the end of the gifts St. Christopher’s and St. Mark’s will share with their communities. The church leadership teams remain in partnership with the Diocese, and there are no plans to sell either church property. Conversations about future plans are ongoing, though parishioners have already been assured that portions of the church property that are memorials and final resting places will remain where they are and continue to be maintained.
“The journey with each of these congregations has been difficult and sad, but also prayerful, pastoral, tender and holy,” said Rodman. “We will not be selling these properties or abandoning these neighborhoods. With each situation, we are looking for ways the Holy Spirit will call us to move forward in some new way, perhaps with new missonal partners, to serve the needs of these communities and the people who are our neighbors there.”
Pastoral care for the parishioners of St. Christopher’s and St. Mark’s continues, and area churches stand ready to welcome their Episcopal siblings into a new church home, as they are ready to find a new place for worship and fellowship. Until then, the Diocese of North Carolina gives thanks for these two congregations, and honors and celebrates their legacies and the impact they have had as witnesses of the Gospel promises and the love of Jesus.
