Christ Reformed United Church of Christ’s bell tower houses the oldest bells in Shepherdstown, dating from the 1600s to the time of the French Revolution, when they were saved from different dismantled churches in France and sent to Germany, to prevent them from being melted down and turned into armaments. The bells will be run for a final call to worship this Sunday, at 10:45 a.m. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Last Friday, Shepherdstown’s oldest church, Christ Reformed United Church of Christ (CRUCC), announced that this coming Sunday will be its final one, 275 years after its founding on Oct. 25, 1747.

The church’s closure coincides with the retirement of its pastor since 2015, Rev. Gayle Bach-Watson.

“With heavy hearts we announce that next Sunday, Jan. 15, will be Pastor Gayle’s last service here at Christ Reformed, as she is retiring from ministry in advance of cancer surgery on Feb. 3, which will be followed by three months of chemotherapy after she recovers from surgery,” said the church in a news release on Monday. “With even heavier hearts, we announce that the worship service on Jan.15 will be the last service and we will be closing our doors.

“There will be a special service on the 15th, beginning with the ringing of our bells, the oldest bells in Shepherdstown, at 10:45 a.m.,” the news release said of its four bells, which were cast in France between 1732 and 1763. “Our service will include special liturgies for the ending of a pastorate and the closing of a church.”

In the seven years Bach-Watson has been at the church, she has become known for her care for her congregation and the surrounding community, which she actively engaged through holding a monthly speaker series on culturally relevant topics and hosting regular game and movie nights in the church’s building, which is located at 304 East German Street. The loss of her influence in the community, along with the church’s, will be felt by many in the community.

Bach-Watson

“It is a beautiful church with a beautiful pastor,” said John Aldis, of Shepherdstown, in response to the news. “Hearing the bells in the morning, knowing the services are there and reading Pastor Gayle’s excellent newsletters will all be deeply missed.”

Church member Lavinia Reid wholeheartedly concurred with him.

“Agreed! I have been a member for about three years, and have so loved this church, its pastor and our congregation!” Reid said.

According to Bach-Watson, CRUCC is a member of the United Church of Christ denomination, which remains closely connected to the denominational origins of CRUCC’s founders, the German Reformed Church. Originally, the church’s services were held in its founders’ native tongue, German, which served the community well, due to Mecklenburg’s large number of German-speaking residents.

Bach-Watson also noted that, along with the church being the oldest in Shepherdstown, its building dates back to 1798 — the oldest in Shepherdstown — thanks to the incorporation of its stone bell tower into its current brick structure.

A group of friends and golden retriever walk through the Old Reformed Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

As of press time, the church has not announced its plans for its historic building and Old Reformed Graveyard, which features the graves of 11 Revolutionary War soldiers and patriots, according to the General Adam Stephens Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Community members are encouraged to send cards and emails to Bach-Watson, whose home address is 256 Knoxville Road, Knoxville, MD 21758 and email address is bachwats@comcast.net.