Historic church to close its doors

PROVIDENCE, R.I (WPRI) - A 141 year old Episcopal church in Providence's west end will have its final service Sunday.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, located AT 542 Potters Avenue, began as a mission parish in 1868. The mission church had once claimed 700 parishioners but has seen its membership decline in recent decades.

The Rev. Karen Fraioli, the vicar, tells the Providence Journal that the parishioners had hoped they would be able to provide a legacy to the neighborhood by turning their three buildings into affordable apartments. But after working for three years with the Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services and Community Works of Rhode Island, they saw those plans melt away when the economy soured.

Right now, the church has just 70 parishoners.