JACKSONVILLE — After over 150 years of educating generations on the word of God, Cove Springs Methodist Church members are on the fence of possibly closing down the church.

Pastor Dan Middleton passed away last month, who led services since the 1980s,  leaving current church members paying interim pastors by the service. He also bequeathed the church a memorial gift after his passing.

“It's a shame to see it in the shape it is in,” George Powell, church member, said. “We've slowly been losing members. Most who attend are elderly and they are passing away.”

In front of the church stands a historical marker for its continual service since 1856. The church has been at its current location for 101 years.

Powell said the church is running low on funds, but closing the church might be the only solution if they cannot get another pastor or receive donations.

“If it hadn't been for Dan's memorial, we wouldn't even have enough funds to pay for a preacher to come on Sundays,” he said.

Powell said a year ago the church had approximately 48 members. The number has trickled down to nearly 24 active members, some due to death and others left to attend other churches.

Powell said he and his wife are the youngest members and they are in their 50s.

“I've been cutting the yard and cleaning the church and I can't do it all on my own,” he said. “I'm the youngest member and I don't want to see the church go.”

Eighty-eight year old Dorothy Adams, also a member of Cove Springs, said she's been attending the church since 2000.

“I was going to a different church, but once I got married, I started going to (my husband's) church which was Cove Springs Methodist Church,” she said.

After two years of marriage, Adams' husband had a massive heart attack and passed away. But his death didn't make her stop going to his church.

“I love the people there and I liked the preacher,” she said. “So many members have died. All the older ones have gone except me. I'm the oldest one there.”

Adams said she remembers when she started attending Cove Springs, all the members were an active community.

“We used to have a lot of dinners on different occasions,” she said. “Back then, there were quite a few people and every Sunday we had something going on.”

Powell said the fate of the church will be decided among the active members on Aug. 12 after service at noon.

All active members have been asked to attend the meeting and together will decide if Cove Springs will remain open.

“I'm trying to do everything I can to keep the church,” he said. “Anything would help.”