Woodmere-Lawrence Methodist church may be closing

A Five Towns church that is 140 years old and boasted almost 150 members as recently as 2003 could close its doors by June.

The Woodmere-Lawrence Methodist Church, on Broadway in Woodmere, was built in 1871, but declining membership — the church had only 41 members as of January 2011 — may bring worship there to an end.

Fourteen months ago, the Rev. Wendy Steed, the church’s pastor, said that there was less interest in the Methodist faith than in decades past, which has contributed to the shrinking of her congregation. Last week, however, Steed would not confirm that the church might close, saying only, “No information has been announced yet.”

Barbara Moody, district administrative secretary for the Long Island West District of the United Methodist Church, said, “It would be inappropriate for me to comment.”

Heavenly Treasures, a thrift store owned and operated by the adjacent church, would most likely also cease operations.

As rumors churn about the future of the church and the store, business owners in the neighborhood are concerned that two more empty buildings would add to the ever-increasing number of vacant storefronts in the community. From Hartwell Place to Irving Place on Broadway in Woodmere, nearly every block has at least one empty storefront.

Saud Ansari, the owner of Five Towns Pharmacy, next door to the church, said that the church should stay in the community. “The neighborhood is going downhill,” he said. “Mom-and-pop shops are the backbone of the economy, and once big corporations come in, they cannot come back easily.”

Should the church and thrift store close, Ansari said, he has a suggestion about what should take their place on the property. “A lot of people here say this neighborhood needs a hardware store,” he said.

Bobby Leshansky, owner of Max’s Appetizing & Kosher Deli, across the street, said the church’s closing was inevitable. “I knew it was going to happen because they’re not a wealthy church,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but it would be nice to utilize that land for the community.”

Leshansky said he does not want another office building, salon or doctor’s office to come to the neighborhood. “A movie theater would bring people here and would provide a boon to the community,” he said. “I don’t think it would happen because of parking issues, but it would help the town survive and bring life to the community.”