First Presbyterian Church holds final service

The First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove, founded in 1869, held its final service on Saturday after more than 150 years of service. Once a vibrant hub of faith and community, it had been a second home for many. However, attendance had dwindled, and the small congregation could no longer afford the costly repairs the historic building required.

The church had evolved over the years, championing inclusivity and social justice, with milestones like adopting an open policy on LGBTQ+ rights and founding the North Shore Sheltering Program after a local homeless man was found dead in 2000. Despite these achievements, cultural shifts, disillusionment with institutional religion, and the impacts of political polarization led to declining membership, particularly among younger generations.

Reverend Lana Hurst, who had joined in 2020, acknowledged that the church’s decline had been ongoing long before the pandemic. Though the building was sold and its future uncertain, the congregation planned to continue the Seekers’ Hour book discussion group, ensuring the spirit of the church lived on.