Final service held at St. Mark’s episcopal Church
Page 4 • Wednesday, September 30, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette
and it was always a great experience. I’m
very sad to see it close. I always went to the
corned beef and cabbage lunches throughout the years. I am going to miss the
church,” Donio said.
Sosnowski addressed the congregation
multiple times regarding the closing and
thinking towards the future.
“It’s very sad to see the church close, but
it’s also a time to give thanks and remember
what we’ve shared here,” Sosnowski said.
Many of the prayers and readings during
the service were geared towards remembering, letting go and looking up for what may
come to them. Following the service, members gathered downstairs for light refreshments and an opportunity to continue
sharing stories with one another from their
past time at the church. There are currently
no plans set for the future of the building.
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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church held its final service on September 27.
came out to say their final goodbyes to the
St. MarK’S, from Page 1
The final service was led by the Rev. beautiful inside of the church. Angela
Canon John W. Sosnowski. For the approx- Donio spoke to the crowd during the servimately 30 people who came to enjoy/pay ice and wished everyone the best.
“I am actually a Roman Catholic myself.
their final respects to the church, the mood
was one of remembrance. Multiple mem- The church always had really nice services,
bers said it felt “more like a funeral” than it did a period to
worship.
Monica Lolio-Ford came to the
church for many years as a child
before leaving Hammonton.
“I look back on this place, and it
brings back many fond memories
of my childhood. It’s very sad to
see this happen. I was baptized here
as a baby. I spend my entire youth
here. I even named my first daughter after the past organist’s wife.
My mother came here all the way
back in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It’s
really horrible to see them have to
go like this,” Lolio-Ford said.
The Sunday bulletin included
many statements regarding the
closing of the church.
“We are gathered today to leave
this church building which has
been a faith community home for
us. We move on from here to other
places of worship where we can
continue to grow in faith and be vibrant witnesses to Jesus and his
Gospel,” the bulletin read.
Following the opening words of
scripture, Sosnowski opened the
floor to those in attendance who
wanted to share memories they
made throughout the years. Joyce
Skinner-Barrett was a member
throughout her life and was married
to former pastor, the Rev. Richard
Barrett, for more than 44 years.
“Myself and many family members of mine were married here at
the church. I was also baptized here
as a child. I moved to upstate New
York many years ago and still live
there now. Whenever I am here, I
come back to the church. It’s so
wonderful to be back here. I met so
many people throughout the years
who mean a lot to me,” SkinnerBarrett said.
Even a few Hammontonians who
were not members of the church
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for a copy.
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