Cutchogue United Methodist Churchs building up for sale

Pastor Tom MacLeod of the newly formed North Fork United Methodist Church previously served as pastor at Sag Harbor United Methodist Church, where he also led efforts to sell the congregations old building to construct a new church. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

The Cutchogue United Methodist Church building is for sale.

The historic Main Road structure, built in 1927, went on the market last week as part of an ongoing plan to consolidate Methodist congregations in Southold and Cutchogue and construct a new church elsewhere in Southold Town, Pastor Tom MacLeod said.

Related: Sacred spaces headed to market

In June, church officials closed Southold United Methodist Church and put it up for sale, citing declining membership and ever-increasing maintenance costs. In the months since, the Southold and Cutchogue congregations have been worshiping together in Cutchogue under the name North Fork United Methodist Church.

The Cutchogue church will remain open until a buyer is found.

There has been a grief issue, the Rev. MacLeod said. These buildings mean a lot to many people and they have served the community for years. But more than that, there is a renewed sense of excitement. We are a bigger church now than we were before the merger. A lot of the older members want to move into a new building. They see the vision and are looking forward to moving toward it.

Since the two Methodist congregations got together, there has been a steady uptick in membership and a renewed sense of commitment to the church among parishioners, the Rev. MacLeod said, pointing to a recent church dinner that raised more than $6,000 for local families in need.

Moreover, it was an easy event, he said, thanks to the helping hands of the congregations 60 regular members.

We are stronger with more people, the Rev. MacLeod said. Almost everyone from Southold came to Cutchogue. With this bigger congregation, there is a great sense of community. That allows us to do more.

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Cutchogue United Methodist Churchs building up for sale