by David Flint
Rev. Al Wolcott, Pastor of the Church at the Crossroads in Stephentown, regrets to inform the community that the historic church is closing. All are invited to attend a final service to be held on Sunday, June 29, at 2 pm.
Wolcott said that after much prayerful consideration the Church leaders have decided that it is time to end 218 years of ministry at the Church that began in 1796 as the Second Baptist Church of Stephentown. When Berlin was separated from Stephentown in 1806 it became the First Baptist Church. In 1996 it was renamed the Evangelical Community Church, and, more recently, it became the Church at the Crossroads. Rev. Wolcott has been its Pastor since 1987.
Deaconess Cindy Schaeffer said that the congregation wants their last voice to be positive. The final service will not be a somber event. There will be special music and a time of remembrance led by Pastor Trygve Tomlinson of the West Stephentown Baptist Church. All are invited to come and share in the remembrance and in refreshments that will be served.
Dr. Brent Allen, District Executive Minister of Converge Northeast, will present a charge to the community. The theme, Rev. Wolcott said, will be that although the doors of the old church building will be closing, the Church does not die. Members should not give up but go forth and prosper, continuing their fellowship and ministry in another venue.