CHADBOURN — After more than 120 years serving the community, Chadbourn Presbyterian Church has closed its doors for good, marking the end of one of the town’s oldest and most recognizable congregations.
The church, located on East First Avenue, held its final service earlier this month. The decision to close was made by the remaining congregation in coordination with the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, which oversees Presbyterian churches across the region.
Church leaders cited declining membership and long‑term financial strain as the primary reasons for the closure. Attendance had fallen sharply over the past decade, leaving only a small group of active members. With limited resources and an aging congregation, the church determined it could no longer sustain operations.
Representatives from the presbytery have begun the process of managing the church’s assets and determining the future of the property. Decisions about the building and grounds will be made at the presbytery level, as is standard when a Presbyterian congregation formally disbands.
The final service drew a significantly larger crowd than usual, as former members, families, and longtime supporters returned to honor the church’s history. Attendees shared memories of weddings, baptisms, community events, and generations of worship that shaped the life of the congregation.
Chadbourn Presbyterian Church was founded in the early 1900s and served as a spiritual and social anchor for the community for more than a century. Over the years, it hosted youth programs, mission work, holiday events, and outreach efforts that extended well beyond its membership.
With the closure, the presbytery will continue to support remaining members as they transition to other congregations in the region.
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