The Final Service: Endicott Church Marks 121 Years of Ministry

More than a century after it was organized, the First United Methodist Church in Endicott has closed its doors.

Several dozen people attended the final service at the McKinley Avenue church on Sunday afternoon.

The final service at the First United Methodist Church in Endicott on February 26, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The church had been in existence since 1902. The building was constructed in 1919 on land that had been donated by Endicott Johnson Shoe Company founder George F. Johnson.

In recent years, attendance at the church's Sunday service had dwindled and a decision was made to close.

Rev. Nancy Adams delivered a message entitled "What's Next?" at the final service of the First United Methodist Church of Endicott. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Rev. Janet Abel, the church pastor, acknowledged the sadness that many current and former members were experiencing during the final service.

Some elements of the church will live on. A large stained glass window depicting George F. Johnson with a group of children at play was removed earlier this month. The window was donated to the Endicott History and Heritage Center.

The bells will no longer be heard at the First United Methodist Church on McKinley Avenue. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

A grand piano was moved from the church Monday morning. It was taken by truck to the Fairview United Methodist Church on Robinson Street on Binghamton's East Side.

Local officials of the United Methodist Church have said the fate of the closed church has not been determined.

Some Endicott residents have expressed concern that the property will be sold to the owners of the neighboring Huron Campus. They have said they are worried the historic church and its education building will be torn down to make way for expanded industrial operations.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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