GREENVILLE, S.C. –On Easter Sunday, April 20, Nicholtown Presbyterian Church held its final worship service, marking the end of an era for a small, African American congregation that has served its community for 74 years.
Nicholtown Presbyterian Church was a vibrant hub of faith and fellowship, with 124 members filling the pews in the 1980s. Recently only four active members remained. After decades as a pillar of the community, the church made the difficult decision to close its doors.
Church leaders cite several reasons for this heartbreaking decision. In a digital world where contact is often through an electronic device, the church struggled to attract members physically in the church; and without growth—and the financial support that comes with it—it became increasingly difficult to keep the church open. Then came COVID-19, which began sweeping through the congregation five years ago this month, taking the lives of many of the remaining elderly and frail members and convincing others not to return…