The church had declining membership, an elderly congregation and the resulting financial pitfalls, parish leader Mary Reich told the Chicago Tribune Monday.

Reich said weekly attendance fell to as few as 30 people while the Chicago diocese of Episcopalians dwindled in numbers.

"We weren't ever able to build up a young congregation again. People leave. Many families die out," Reich said.

The church opened in 1878 with its first service in a hayloft. It moved to its current location in 1930.

"Take the good from this place and spread it around," said Rev. Donald Frye in the church's final service.