Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Bowmanstown has a unique history spanning 122 years, but it is about to have its last worship service on Oct. 5 and a public auction will occur on Oct. 23.

“Its founding goes back to Jan. 17, 1903. There was a meeting in the home of George Arner and the church was called Emmanuel Reformed,” said Judy Hoffman, president of the church consistory. “The cornerstone of the building is dated 1905, and the first Communion was held in 1906.”

Hoffman joined the church 44 years ago and has served in various leadership positions, including overseeing Christian Education.

“Our Sunday school class met for the last time in May,” Hoffman said. “Our fundraisers used to include ham and dandelion dinners, turkey and filling dinners, strawberry festivals, barbecue chicken dinners, a spring basket social and a bazaar in October.”

This will be the third church in Bowmanstown to close. The Methodist and Catholic churches are closed.

“The decision to close the church was hard and emotional, but we knew we had to do it,” according to Hoffman. “We are closing due to a decline in membership and funds.”

Although the membership roster lists 69 members, church attendance has been a dozen people or fewer each week. Jacki Fallstich has been the organist for two years, but there is no longer a church choir.

Several congregational meetings were held before the ultimate decision to close was made. There were discussions and votes.

“The members understood the circumstances and that there is no other way to move forward,” said Karen Barlip, vice president of the consistory.

She joined the church five years ago when she saw that Rev. Dr. Dean Frey was the part-time pastor. He also works part time at Zion UCC in Lehighton.

“He and I were confirmed years ago at St. John’s Evangelical Church,” Barlip said. “When I heard he was preaching here, I wanted to check it out.”

Hoffman and Barlip said the current group attending weekly services are like a family. They stick together and the atmosphere is a little more casual.

The church service on Oct. 5 will be at 9 a.m. on World Communion Day. It will include communion and Frey’s final sermon at that church. Cindy Henry, who was church organist for 30 years, will play one last time. Hoffman and Barlip are planning a social hour with coffee and desserts after the service.

The ladies have gone through closets, cupboards, the attic and other storage areas. They have hung poster boards of photos along the walls and set Bibles, registries, newspaper clippings and other nostalgic items on tables in the social hall. The items will remain on display for the last service.

Houser Auctioneers’ public auction on Oct. 23 will begin at 9 a.m. with the contents first and then the real estate at 11:30.

“We would love if someone purchased it to keep as a church,” Hoffman said. “But in reality, we think it will be an investment property.”

Pews, piano, organ, kitchen supplies, roasters, commercial mixer, gas stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, tables, chairs, storage shed, lawn mower and leaf blower are among the contents up for auction.

“I am hearing a lot of people saying it’s sad to see the church go and there are concerns of what will become of the building,” Hoffman said.

Members are also talking about where they’ll go next. Hoffman said she and two family members will likely start attending worship at St. John’s UCC in Palmerton. Barlip is not sure, but has started to visit other churches.

“We hope for a large attendance at worship and the social hour on Oct. 5, and gather one last time as our church family,” Barlip said.

The church address is 509 Hamilton Ave., Bowmanstown.