Pews were filled with teary eyed parishioners at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Niles as they held their last service on Sunday.

“It’s unfathomable,” Kathi Kovacic, a Chalice Bearer at St. Luke's said about the closure. “It is the epitome of death and despair.”

Congregants like Kovacic, who spent the last 18 years participating in services, mourned the loss of the church that welcomed her with open arms.

“These are my family, this is my church family for sure and I'm going to lose that today,” Kovacic said. 

Richard Harris came in from North Carolina to say his goodbyes to the church. He said even though they’re losing the building he doesn't look at it as something to mourn.

“Seven generations of my family, my grand kids were baptised here, my parents were buried from here, I was married here and so it holds a place,” Harris said. “This is a celebration of life.”

The church first opened in 1870 and held their first service on Good Friday. The ministry said it was a difficult decision to close down after 154 years - but that it was time.

“Nothing is forever,” Bishop Anne B Jolly of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio said. “In the life cycle of institutions, organizations the time had come for this body to close who they are now and become something new.”

Breaking bread and spreading peace last time before they go their separate ways to other churches, continuing their faith even after the doors in Niles close. 

“As we mourn the loss of this congregation as it exists, we know that there will be new life, that Christ's love will continue, that we will be able to share love with the world in new and different ways that we can't even imagine yet,” Bishop Jolly said. 

“It's okay. It's a building. We’re the church, the church is right here,” Harris said, touching his heart. “...and with Jesus so we follow the church wherever we go.”