Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

Lebanon — The congregation at the First Baptist Church of Lebanon has decided to close its doors because there aren't enough people to sustain the church.

It was a tough decision for the remaining 35 members, who have built friendships and lots of memories at 25 E. Warren Street.

Among them are Peggy and Dave Conn, who for 33 years have attended the church where their daughter was baptized.

"It's been a good church," Peggy said. "Just about everybody who has lived in Lebanon for a long time has been in it."

Peggy said she and her husband will be trying out other churches in the coming weeks to "see where the Lord leads us."

For more than 100 years, the church has been a meeting place for several community groups and has been opened during the city's Christmas festivities, where people could come in and warm up with free soup or chili. But in recent years the congregation has increased in age and decreased in numbers. Rev. Phil Stubbs said the old building is too much for his small congregation, especially in the winter when gas bills average $600 a month.

According to county records, the church was built in 1900, but members say the church dates back to 1802.

After Sunday's services, the building will be transferred to the Miami Association of American Baptist Churches of Ohio, who will decide to sell or lease. Stubbs said other churches, including New Freedom on Monroe Road, have shown interest in leasing the facility.

Lifelong church member Harold Bowers said in 1959 his father helped build the annex which was used for Sunday School and community group meetings. Bowers said he hopes it always remains a church.

"A lot of people there had a real influence on my life," said 63-year-old Bowers, a retired deputy sheriff and lifelong member of the church. "I can remember when 250 people would be in the sanctuary on Sundays. At one time, we had three different age youth groups that would meet on Sunday night."

At 59, Harold's wife Bev Bowers said she's the youngest member of the congregation. Bev and Harold both taught Sunday school for many years at the church. But now, Bev said there aren't any more young couples or children who come to Sunday services.

"We're all sad that it's closing, but there's nothing we can do about it. I guess it's God's way of moving us on to different things," Bev said.

A special celebration is planned for after the last service, which happens Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4541 or rwilson@coxohio.com.