PARIS — It is the end of an era for the building but not for the ministry as Deering Memorial United Methodist Church prepares to close its doors in the near future.

In October, members of the church – located at 39 Main St. in Paris – voted to leave the current building for a new location to better align with the congregation’s needs. The driving factor in exiting the more than 100-year-old church is the building which is in need of significant repairs, including a roof replacement that’s estimated to cost between $200,000 and $300,000.

Pastor Anna-Jean (A.J.) Alexander said last week, her church has the approval to sell the building and the next step is for members to vote in December on abandoning the building or staying in it and trying to sell it.

“My goal would be to stay in it and sell it,” she said. “I am hoping to stay open through the holidays and maybe beyond.”

Another economic factor is the large energy bill the congregation pays to heat a space that sits up to 300 people when there’s roughly 30 who come to worship every Sunday.

“Just the amount of money we put into heat, we could put it into a mission. We just couldn’t get out from underneath it,” Alexander said. “You can buy a lot of underwear for $800.”

The congregation paid to take down its bell tower because “it was ready to fall into the street,” which was the first phase of the project, she said. The second phase was to erect a new tower and people had donated to that. Alexander said money will be returned to those who want it back.

She noted the tough decision to close the church’s doors at its existing location wasn’t made overnight.

“It was very carefully thought out,” the pastor said. “It has been a very, very hard decision for people. Everyone is going through a grief process right now. A lot of people are in denial.”

Sending out a press release about the future of the church has made it a reality for some, Alexander added. Many of the congregation were born, baptized and married at Deering Memorial.

Once the church closes its doors at that location, some members will not follow and others have already left, she said. But this isn’t a time for despair and Alexander wants people to rejoice at the possibilities of the future.

“It’s an older congregation. I am hoping [the move] will spark a spirit in people that haven’t really thought of church but really like to do the mission stuff and may join us in this walk,” Alexander said. “You don’t have to be a United Methodist. Just come out and feel good about it.”

While a new home for the church – which she said will change its name once it moves – hasn’t been found, the pastor is hoping to remain in Paris. And once a new location is secured, Alexander, the rest of the congregation and community members can embark on expanding their ministry. They already host successful weekly community breakfasts, monthly turkey suppers and bi-annual clothing give aways.

She plans on joining the Western Maine Addiction Task Force to help combat the growing heroin and opiate problem in the community.

“My goal is to be a church that impacts the community – that will be a blessing to the community,” Alexander said. “If I could do anything with the addiction problem in the Oxford Hills that would be my biggest blessing to the Oxford Hills. I have lived here all my life and I know what a problem that is.”

She’s been asking people what kind of ministry her church can conduct to help those most in need in the community. Ideas include hosting a drop-in center for students to do homework and participate in activities, including kayaking and hiking trips, and a space for seniors to socialize and keep warm in the winter. Ideally their new home will have a kitchen to provide coffee and to send meals to shut ins, along with shower facilities.

Alexander said she wants to “give kids something to do that has a purpose. I have raised five children in this community so I know. I am hoping that we will be able to be a blessing.”

Anyone with an idea for ministry can contact Alexander at [email protected].

As far as the building itself, Alexander said “it is probably one of the most beautiful buildings in the area,” noting the church’s stained-glass windows.

“The church itself would make a very good theater or performing arts center. It seats 300, it has a balcony, it has a pulpit area, it has a nice pipe organ in it. That would be really nice instead of tearing it down or using it for apartments,” she said. “It’s going to take a while [to sell it]. We will see. Maybe there’s somebody that’s really interested that wants to buy it.”

In light of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, France, Alexander and her church are hosting a Paris Prays for Paris vigil, complete with live music, at 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

Alexander also invited the public to the church’s upcoming Full House Christmas Concert set for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. She asks attendees bring a toy or donate to the free-will offering, which benefits the church’s economic ministry.

“I know people will want to come to the church,” she said. “It could be their last time.”

[email protected]

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