St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has served the Te Puke community for more than 100 years.

But next month its doors will be closed permanently.

After many years of significant challenges and after a seven-month period of prayerful discernment and discussion, a commission of the Kaimai Presbytery recently came to the difficult decision that St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Te Puke was no longer able to fulfil the requirements of a Presbyterian congregation.

The final service will be held on October 5 and the church will officially close on October 31.

The congregation was told of the commission’s decision last month.

Interim moderator Rev Sandra Warner said the decision was not made lightly.

“As with many other smaller beloved churches, as membership dwindles and grows older there is a deficit of people to assume the leadership roles necessary for a church to function, and very hard decisions are reluctantly made.

“It is very sad that St Andrew’s can no longer serve and thrive as we highly value our local churches.

“We wish that we were able to retain all our churches, and St Andrews has a rich history filled with treasured memories, but unfortunately, we are not in a position to do so.”

The Kaimai Presbytery would work through a dissolution process to preserve the history of the church, support parishioners with pastoral care, consider new ministry opportunities, and care for the buildings until a decision is made about their future.

The St Andrew’s Preschool lease has recently been renewed and will be honoured by the Church.

There will be a chance to ask questions at the church on September 21.