133-year-old Florida church shuts its doors

A Florida church held its final service Sunday after 133 years.

The First Presbyterian Church of Titusville was founded in 1887. Interim Pastor Rev. Laura Viau said the decision to close did not come easy. The congregation had slowly dwindled to about 40 even though the church seats more than 400.

She said the tipping point came after Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne did major structural damage in 2004, costing about $100,000. The cost of upkeep has been difficult for the congregation, especially patching frequent problems with the leaky roof.

Florida Today reports the church plans to sell the building.

Joan Threlkeld, now 94, grew up in the church, watching her mom and aunt sing in the choir and listening to music on one of the only pipe organs in the area.

“It was part of our life,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.