BUTTE — Two Butte churches that have been open for more than 100 years are closing their doors for good.
The Montana Standard reports Trinity United Methodist Church and Mountain View United Methodist Church will host their final services Sunday after a combined 254 years of serving church-goers.
Pastor Ron Martin-Dent says the closures are inevitable due to a lack of resources to support the buildings and the pastor’s salary, as well as a dwindling congregation.
Both Trinity and Mountain View churchgoers are mostly retired and older adults, many of whom grew up in the church.
Pastor Kama Hamilton-Morton says older churches now have to figure out how to serve a new community, as young families look to more progressive, modern churches.
Both Hamilton-Morton and Martin-Dent will lead Sunday’s final services.