Church aims to recapture rich history

Nearly 60 years after its inception, Christ the King Episcopal Church continues to forge forward despite dwindling membership numbers.
   
The property at the corner of Fifth and Sixth Streets in East Meadow has been the home of Christ the King since the original building was
erected in 1956.
   
Carolyn Lindley, whose parents Henry and Caroline Grimmer helped found Christ the King, attended the church’s first Mass in 1950.
   
She looks forward to celebrating the church’s 60th anniversary come November, but maintains the hope that energy can be ignited into what was once a thriving parish of more than 200 active members.
  
According to church officials, there are about 55 registered members, 40 of which are active and pledged parishioners. Including the choir and helpers, an average of about 30 are in attendance for weekly Mass.
   
At the first Mass on Nov. 19, 1950, there were about 25 worshippers in attendance.
   
Consequently, times have been tough for the house of worship, which shares a priest with other Episcopal churches in the area.
  
“So many people left that we don’t have enough money to pay a salary,” Lindley said, “so the priest who comes here for the service also goes to other churches.”
   
Lindley explained that many parishioners left when the previous spiritual leader, the Rev. Robert W. Ross, resigned for personal reasons and moved to Florida.
   
Despite dwindling membership, the church continues to host several programs throughout the year, in addition to its weekly Sunday morning Mass.
   
The events include the St. Patrick’s Dinner, Card parties and the Military Bridge. Every Christmas, the church “adopts” a family in need and donates food and gifts. Christ the King’s board, known as a Vestry, is active and continues to uncover strategies to raise funds for the church.
   
In the early years, Lindley’s parents, the Grimmers, actually housed meetings and classes in their home on Stuyvesant Avenue beginning in 1945.