church of God

Founded in Harrisburg more than 150 years ago, the Harrisburg Church of God on 4th Street is permanently closing its doors on Sunday, April 26. Membership had for years dwindled and was recently below 10.

(Ivey DeJesus/PennLive)

The white steeple and imposing stained glass windows of the small brick church along 4th Street in Harrisburg between Market and Walnut streets seem eclipsed by the surrounding buildings and parking garage directly across.

When it was built in the 1850s, the church encompassed the span of the block. Now, wedged among other structures, it seems small and quaint.

In fact, some 165 years since it was built, the Harrisburg First Church of God is closing its doors permanently. Its membership having dwindled to less than 10 congregants, the church is holding its last service on Sunday.

"It's bittersweet for us. That was the mother church," said Kevin E. Richardson, executive director of the Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God.

A post on the church's Facebook page explains: "The congregation has agreed that, due to lack of growth, the church will be permanently closing," reads the church's Facebook page. "We all believe that this is the direction that God has called out church to and we know that He will continue to use all of us for glory."

Richardson explained that the closure has been some time in the making.

While the Eastern Regional Conference continues to see growth among its 150 churches, the Harrisburg downtown church had been struggling for years. Several years ago, the church sold its building to the Gamut Theater and relocated its bell to the denomination's seminary in Scotland, just outside Chambersburg.

The small congregation continued to meet at a community center in Harrisburg, but membership failed to grow and most recently had dwindled down to about eight.

The historic Harrisburg First Church of God several years ago relocated its bell to the denomination's seminary in Scotland, just outside Chambersburg.

"It's significant in that it has ties to the mother church of the denomination," Richardson said. "In terms of influence that small body hasn't had much influence for years we kind of realize several years ago there wasn't going to be much happening."

The denomination bears the distinction of having been founded in Harrisburg in 1825 by John Winebrenner, a minister of the German Reformed Church who was forced out when members opposed some of his tactics.

The denomination today has about 340 churches across North America, the majority in the northeast. Cumberland County alone boats 22 churches. The denomination has as many churches - 340 - across the world. In addition to the Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Scotland, the denomination has another theological center in Findlay, Ohio.

Churches of God observe three ordinances: baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and feet washing. The church is conservative and evangelical, its resolutions taking a stand against homosexuality, abortion and the use of military power, among other issues.

Reads one resolution: "So-called 'alternate lifestyles' and/or sexual expressions are immoral sin and in need of the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God."

Richardson said that while the denomination may be struggling to attract or keep members, it's doing so to a lesser degree than mainline Protestant denominations.

"We are doing a little better than they are," he said. "We hope it's the favor of the Lord."

Nace Howell, pastor of the Harrisburg First Church of God, was reluctant to provide any additional information as to the demise of the church.

Howell said the church had been on a downward spiral for about 20 years.

"It probably should have been closed before I started," he said.

A historic placard outlines the history of the Harrisburg First Church of God along 4th Street.

He said the church had been plagued by "a lot of issues," but declined to elaborate, saying: "It's kind of volatile right now and delicate. It's a very delicate situation."

He said he is looking for employment.

"I'm excited to see where the Lord takes me next," Howell said.