The Pilgrim United Church is slated to close after an overwhelming vote. Of 31 members, 28 voted to disband.

“We obviously have mixed feelings about this. It’s always really disappointing,” said Doug Goodwill, executive secretary of The British Columbia Conference of The United Church of Canada. “They have had a life there, with witness and worship.”

The vote was held on March 3 and only active members were eligible to vote. The Colwood church will disband on June 30.

“Congregations have been declining and members are having a really, really hard time,” said Goodwill  “This is not unusual. The congregations have been decreasing in the last 40 years. We built a lot of churches in the ’50s and ’60s. Way too many for our present needs.”

 

Officials at The Pilgrim United Church did not return News Gazette phone calls.