By MAUREEN PICHÉ

POTSDAM – After 188 years, a fire and a move, the First Baptist Church of Potsdam has announced it will be discontinuing services at the end of the year and plans to dissolve the incorporation and sell its 24 Leroy St. building.

A combination of dwindling membership, tough economic times, and a desire for the church to go in a fresh new direction has led the church trustees and members to vote in favor of this move, according to Trustee Cherie Baker of Potsdam.

“At a time to be determined, the church will be turning its assets and property over to American Baptist Churches of New York State, to use the assets for a restart of an American Baptist Church in Potsdam or the surrounding area, and we will close the building at 24 Leroy St.,” Baker wrote in a letter to the community. The church, currently led by Rev. Joanna Loucky Ramsey, has been at that location since 1971 after fire destroyed their church at the corner of Elm and Leroy streets in 1970.

Baker noted the church membership has been slowly dropping to what is now about 10 attendees.

Baker said until the dissolution occurs, non-profit groups may continue to use the building. Currently, the Lutherans and Quakers meet there.

Also, church groups such as the women’s group and the Noteworthy Hand Bell Choir will continue to meet and stay involved in the community.

Once the dissolution occurs, the American Baptist Churches of New York State can choose to open a new church with different leadership.

“It will be a fresh start, an opportunity to be involved in a new ministry with new ideas and vision,” Baker said. But, this could take some time, given all the legal proceedings the current church elders will have to go through.

Baker added that there are other American Baptist Churches in the area that she and other members may end up traveling to, such as in Ogdensburg, North Bangor and Malone.

All the same, Baker said she is sad to see the church dissolve. “I’ve been a part of it since 1991. There has always been a vibrant community outreach here,” she said, noting the seeds for the startup of local institutions such as the Potsdam Food Co-op and C.O.R.C. were planted with help from members.

Church members will be having an event in the near future in celebration of their 188-year history.

Those with questions may call trustees Michael Walters (265-5309), Cherie Baker (212-0945) or Bill Ramsey (212-0203).