From the 9/24/06 DDN:

 

 

Ohio's small-town, rural churches fighting extinction

Congregations are steadily declining as megachurches attract younger families.

By Ben Sutherly

Staff Writer

Sunday, September 24, 2006

 

Local religious life might strike you as robust these days. Faith is a force in Ohio politics this fall. And attendance has surged at larger churches, especially in the region's suburbs. But no matter the denomination, many rural and small-town churches are fading — even dying — as their congregations age and younger generations find alternative ways to worship elsewhere.

 

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or [email protected].

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/23/ddn092406ruralinside.html

 

I wonder how much of this is the "rural" part, and how much is the particular denominations.  Because I've played organ at a now-closed Catholic church here in Cincinnati (Holy Angels in O'Bryonville), a Methodist church (Northside United Methodist), and have recently been subbing a lot at an Episcopal church (St. Michael's and All Angels in Avondale) that, last Sunday, featured a congregation of five people, plus five vested ministers, an usher, and me...

As the article says, the Catholic churches in soutern Mercer and Auglaize Counties, as well as northern Shelby and Darke Counties seem to be still hanging on.

 

But now with the priest shortage, one priest is covering 3 parishes.  As priests continue to retire and die, I'm sure they going to have to really start consolidating them.

 

Catholic Churches in the "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches"

Megachurches. What the Hell.

Megachurches. What the Hell.

 

Ha!  :lol:

Thank you.

does anyone know if the old congregations mentioned are actually still using original churches from back when they were founded? if they consolidate, and it seems they will have to, it would be a shame to mothball and maybe lose those old structures to neglect.