SHARPSBURG, Pa. -- A landmark church in Sharpsburg closed its doors Sunday for the last time.
The pews were packed at the Sharpsburg Evangelical Lutheran Church for the last service.
The Heinz family, who worshipped at the church beginning in the early 1900s, donated the stained-glass windows that line the walls.
The church survived the flood of 1936 when water surrounded the altar, and during World War I, members were accused of treason for conducting services in German.
"It's going be a big loss for us losing a Lutheran Church. We welcomed the Heinz family all their lives here in Sharpsburg. It's the birthplace of the H.J. Heinz Co., and we're going to miss the church here," said Richard Panza, a church councilman.
Church officials said the church is closing due to declining membership.
Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
