December 27, 2007
BY SUSAN HOGAN/ALBACH Religion Reporter shogan@suntimes.com
A 129-year-old Episcopal congregation on the South Side will be disbanded after worship Sunday.
Attendance at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, which is in the Beverly/Morgan Park area, has declined to about 30 people. At its peak, it had 250 members, church leaders said.
"It's been coming," said Mary Reich, a parish leader. "You can't run a parish on 30 people. Most of our members are over age 55."
The final service will be at 9 a.m. Sunday at the church, 10961 S. Hoyne. After worship and a time of socializing, a letter from the bishop of the Chicago Episcopal Diocese will be read.
The Rev. Michael Stephenson, a diocesan official, said the letter officially "secularizes" the building. Future use of the property will be determined by the bishop, he said.
"It's unfortunate, as it always is, when a church closes," said Stephenson, who will be on hand Sunday. "There's also times when it's the most appropriate thing that can be done."
The diocese has 41,000 members across northern Illinois. Last month, a new bishop, the Rev. Jeffrey Lee, was elected to replace outgoing Bishop William Persell. Lee's consecration is scheduled for February.
