Presbyterian church holds last service

One of Libby’s oldest church

congregations is holding its last worship service.

The First Presbyterian Church will hold

its final service Sunday starting at 11 a.m.

The church’s beginnings in Libby date

back to 1896.

The congregation has dwindled in the

last few years and there is only about a dozen active members

remaining.

The church, located on Mahoney Road,

has been without a pastor since Rev. Sherry Edwards retired last

December.

“We can barely take care of the

building,” church member Jim Smart. “The best thing to do is close

the doors.”

In recent months, services have been

conducted by a pastor from Kalispell and by Bonnie Emett.

Edwards and Emett will both assist in

leading the final service. Many members of the congregation will

also participate through music.

Smart said the congregation recently

gaveabout $6,500 to local organizations as its final donation to

the community.

The church building, which is owned by

Glacier Presbytery, will be sold.

“It is a sad thing,” Smart said. He’s

been a member of the Libby church since 1948.

Many of the congregation plan to retain

membership with the Presbyterian church through Kalispell, but will

attend other churches in Libby.