Second Congregational Church to close

The church, more than three centuries old, will be sold to the nonprofit Lifebridge North Shore

The Second Congregational Church, one of the oldest institutions in Beverly, is closing.

The church announced Wednesday that it will transfer ownership of its property at 35 Conant St. to Lifebridge North Shore, a nonprofit that supports homeless and other vulnerable people. Lifebridge plans to use the site as a drop-in resource center for people in need and will continue to host community groups such as the Boy Scouts, as the church has done for decades.

Lifebridge North Shore President Jason Etheridge said the church will not be used as a homeless shelter. Lifebridge runs two homeless shelters in Salem and one, River House, in Beverly.

“We don’t want to create something that overburdens the community,” Etheridge said. “This really isn’t a good space for a shelter. It’s not close to the resources these folks need to be successful.”

The Second Congregational Church was founded in 1713, before the formation of the United States. It is the second oldest church in Beverly, behind the First Parish Church, which started in 1667.

Rev. Adam Isbitsky, who was brought in as pastor last year to begin the closing process, said the building has “stood as a symbol of hope, faith, and possibility for over three centuries.”

He said the church is closing due to declining membership. It is down to only a “few dozen” active members, he said.

“There’s a lot of grief,” Isbitsky said. “Even though we’re expecting wonderful things to continue to happen here, there’s still the feeling that someone’s faith community is ending.”

Isbitsky said the decision to close was difficult, but members are glad to see that the historic building will be turned over to a nonprofit that will continue to use the site for the community’s benefit.

“We’re a Christian church,” he said. “We believe in not only death but resurrection, so we know that our faith is going to live on even if our congregation eventually dissolves. But there still is a lot of sadness and emotion.”

Isbitsky said the transaction must be approved by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s public charities division and by the state Supreme Judicial Court. That process, which is meant to ensure the proper use of charitable assets, could take months. The church will continue to hold services in the meantime.

Etheridge called the purchase of the church “an amazing opportunity” for Lifebridge. He said the organization is known for its homeless shelters, but also serves over 100,000 meals per year, operates 27 units of housing, and has case managers at the Cabot Street YMCA housing in Beverly.

“We certainly focus on homelessness, but we’re a lot more than that,” Etheridge said. “Lifebridge is already a part of this community at River House. Here’s an opportunity to bring even more at a time when we’re seeing a higher demand for services across the board.”

Etheridge said Lifebridge is considering teaming up with other nonprofits to create a service center at the church that could meet several needs of their clients. Lifebridge has already moved its executive offices to the church.

Isbitsky said the congregation voted in January to transfer the building to Lifebridge in large part because it would continue to use the property as a community resource.

“It was a huge priority for us as we were thinking about leaving our legacy that whoever would commit to taking over the property would commit to using it for the community just like we’re done for centuries at this point,” Isbitsky said.

“For people who have been lifelong members, for 80 years, knowing that there is going to be a positive future at this site is something that is really helping with all the grief that is a natural part of this process.”

Etheridge said Lifebridge does not intend to make changes to the sanctuary. Although the Second Congregational Church is dissolving, members could continue to hold services there, he said.

“We’re doing this in a very respectful way,” he said.

The total purchase price for the building and property is $2,178,000, but Lifebridge will pay only $250,000, according to a presentation on the church’s website. The church is giving $1,928,000 as a “gift of equity” to Lifebridge “in consideration of the substantial maintenance, repairs and reconstruction needed,” according to the presentation.

A community town hall will be held in the church sanctuary on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. to talk about the transition. The public is invited to attend.