"I always said to customers when they came in that there was a treasure waiting to be found," said Lisa Kelly, Trinity Episcopal Church member.

The thrift shop underneath the Trinity Episcopal Church in Elmira is closing its doors for good and church members are helping to pack up what remains of the merchandise.

What You Need To Know

  • Trinity Episcopal Church closes this Sunday

  • The church was founded in 1833

  • Trinity is closing due to multiple factors, like declining membership and attendance

"So far I think we've been so busy, probably haven't stopped to think about it as much as you might like after its over," said Judith Sheasley, a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

After more than 180 years, the church is closing its doors, too.

Cleaning out is a bit of a walk down memory lane.

"Lots of memories," said Kelly.

Diocese rules for COVID-19 means only 15 people were allowed in the building for services, which isn't much higher than their weekly attendance of low 20's before the pandemic. One of the big reasons for closing was a 30-year decline in membership. This Sunday, they'll be live streaming their last service on Facebook.

"Everything that lives dies, and unfortunately that's also true of a church. And we are by definition, we're a resurrection people, and so we believe that out of whatever this is, something new and different is going to come," said Wanda Copeland, Trinity Episcopal Church pastor.

Trinity is giving away a lot of the things that they have in their building, like bells.

"We couldn't afford to buy new ones. I was looking to buy some used ones," said Lynn Swartz of Saint David's Episcopal Church in Barneveld.

This will carry on Trinity's legacy in other congregations for generations more to come.