By
Joy Nord
The
marquee no longer lights words of
inspiration or worship times. The parking lot is now empty and inside the walls
are bare. On Sunday, April 7, 2013, the
nearly 122 year-old Georgetown Evangelical Free Church (EFC) held its last
official service.
The
Georgetown Evangelical Free Church was established in 1891 by Swedish immigrants,
making it the first EFC in Texas. The EFC allows its members to play an
important role in the church's decision-making process. On February 17th,
during the congregational meeting, 26 members put the church's fate to a vote:
15 to 11 in favor of closing the church's doors permanently.
For
months this decision weighed heavily on the heart's of church members. The main
reason behind this vote was the chronic low attendance and the inability to
recruit new members to the congregation.
Although
the church doors are closed, the life of GEFC has been recorded in The
History of the Georgetown Evangelical Free Church published last year
by Glynda Joy Nord. Within the book's pages, besides an historical sketch of
the church, are the confirmation pictures, a message from all of the pastors
who served, a biography of early members, Swedish traditions of yesteryear, and
Swedish recipes. The book is available through: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and
Trafford Publishing.
Additional information is available at:
SweAme - Georgetown EFC Album
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