Area November 24, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd’s building in Midland Park was deconsecrated and secularized on Saturday, Nov. 13 in a moving ceremony that saw lifelong parishioners share their memories and finally light their own candles from the Paschal candle to take with them in their journey to their new church and through life. The congregation of the Godwin Avenue church, the fifth oldest in this town of many houses of worship, joined with the Church of the Epiphany in Allendale earlier this year to become Trinity Episcopal Church of Northern Bergen County in Allendale. The Midland Park building is in the process of being sold to another church. “This building is filled to the brim with memories, joys and sorrows,” said Bishop Mark Beckwith. “It will always remain a part of your lives, and you will carry what you experienced here forever and ever,” he added. “We must focus on the people. That is our firm baseline when everything changes around us,” said Joani Zanotti, a Good Shepherd warden. “We have each other. We’ll maintain our family and add new members,” said Ruth Schulze Cross. Alfred “Pat” Schmalfuhs reminisced about the good fellowship he had enjoyed since he joined the church in 1964. He said that when he started teaching special education at Midland Park High School, his classroom was in the basement of the church building, where the board of education rented space. Church of the Good Shepherd’s building deconsecrated According to lifelong member Ruth Morel, a church committee had been meeting for a year and a half to discuss options for the dwindling congregation after Rev. Charles Arlin announced his intention to retire in February, 2009. Committee members met with all the Episcopal churches in the area before negotiating the agreement with Epiphany, a similar small congregation. “We had always been an active and energetic congregation, even as our numbers declined, and we wanted to continue to grow,” Morel explained. The original idea had been to maintain Good Shepherd’s building for two years after the merger for special functions and also for the convenience of the nursery school and community groups that used the facility. That all changed when a fire a year ago this week destroyed the original wing of the building that housed the meeting hall and the nursery school. Since then Good Shepherd members, including Morel’s husband, Al, have been transporting keepsakes to their new Allendale home. The flagpole and the flowers around the property were moved, as was much of the furniture and even music sheets dating to the beginning of the last century. Memorial plaques and other memorials were given back to the families that had donated them. The altar and the custommade pews will be given to the new church which is expected to be making the building its home. “It’s good that it’s a church that’s buying the property,” Ruth Morel said. The Episcopal Church in Wortendyke Alfred “Pat” Schmalfuhs, left, lights his candle during the ceremony as Bishop Mark Beckwith, right, and Trinity Rector Michael Allen look on. was begun in October 1906 by the superintendent of the Granite Linen Mill and a group of local men. Services were held in various locations, including local residences and in the Wortendyke Field & Stream Club building on Greenwood Avenue until 1908, when the superintendent opened his home for services. Later a parishioner opened her home on Park Avenue for services and the Sunday School. Land for a church building was donated by the Granite Linen Mill, and Christ Chapel was opened and consecrated on October 3, 1909. In later years the Wortendyke Field & Stream Club donated its building to the church for the parish house. This building was moved from its original site near the Wortendyke railroad station across the fields and set on a foundation next to the church. The cornerstone for the new parish house was laid in 1958, and in 1963 a modern church building was constructed to replace the chapel, and it was rededicated as the Church of the Good Shepherd. Entire purchase with this ad. 1 coupon per customer. No limit with coupon. Not to be combined with any other promotions or offers. Exp. 11/26/10. 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