For Bill Murphy, it was an emotional goodbye.
The group commissioner, administrator, and Scout leader with the Hamilton 26th Scout Group bid farewell to the congregation at Chalmers Presbyterian Church on Mountain Park Avenue during the church service on July 16.
After 87 years at Chalmers, the group is moving to Trinity Presbyterian Church on 9th Avenue.
“I had to rehearse (the goodbye speech) at home a dozen times so I wouldn’t break down,” said Murphy, who has been with the Scout troop for 25 years and whose family had attended Chalmers for decades. “This is the only church I know.”
With rising costs and a shrinking membership, Chalmers has formed a committee to look at their options, including closure.
Murphy and other 26th Group officials began moving their belongings from the Chalmers church basement last week.
“As sad as it is, (looking at old files) brings back so many good memories,” said Murphy, who noted the group want to be ready to go when the meeting season resumes in September.
The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers will meet on Tuesday and Wednesdays evenings at Trinity.
“We’re incredibly excited about them coming here,” said Revered Matthew Lingrad, the minister at Trinity who noted he received a call from Murphy earlier this year inquiring if the 26th Group could move there.
Murphy said he hopes the shift to a new home will create a renewed enthusiasm for the group and enable the 26th to attract new members from the young families in the area.
For Bill Murphy, it was an emotional goodbye.
The group commissioner, administrator, and Scout leader with the Hamilton 26th Scout Group bid farewell to the congregation at Chalmers Presbyterian Church on Mountain Park Avenue during the church service on July 16.
After 87 years at Chalmers, the group is moving to Trinity Presbyterian Church on 9th Avenue.
“I had to rehearse (the goodbye speech) at home a dozen times so I wouldn’t break down,” said Murphy, who has been with the Scout troop for 25 years and whose family had attended Chalmers for decades. “This is the only church I know.”
With rising costs and a shrinking membership, Chalmers has formed a committee to look at their options, including closure.
Murphy and other 26th Group officials began moving their belongings from the Chalmers church basement last week.
“As sad as it is, (looking at old files) brings back so many good memories,” said Murphy, who noted the group want to be ready to go when the meeting season resumes in September.
The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers will meet on Tuesday and Wednesdays evenings at Trinity.
“We’re incredibly excited about them coming here,” said Revered Matthew Lingrad, the minister at Trinity who noted he received a call from Murphy earlier this year inquiring if the 26th Group could move there.
Murphy said he hopes the shift to a new home will create a renewed enthusiasm for the group and enable the 26th to attract new members from the young families in the area.
For Bill Murphy, it was an emotional goodbye.
The group commissioner, administrator, and Scout leader with the Hamilton 26th Scout Group bid farewell to the congregation at Chalmers Presbyterian Church on Mountain Park Avenue during the church service on July 16.
After 87 years at Chalmers, the group is moving to Trinity Presbyterian Church on 9th Avenue.
“I had to rehearse (the goodbye speech) at home a dozen times so I wouldn’t break down,” said Murphy, who has been with the Scout troop for 25 years and whose family had attended Chalmers for decades. “This is the only church I know.”
With rising costs and a shrinking membership, Chalmers has formed a committee to look at their options, including closure.
Murphy and other 26th Group officials began moving their belongings from the Chalmers church basement last week.
“As sad as it is, (looking at old files) brings back so many good memories,” said Murphy, who noted the group want to be ready to go when the meeting season resumes in September.
The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers will meet on Tuesday and Wednesdays evenings at Trinity.
“We’re incredibly excited about them coming here,” said Revered Matthew Lingrad, the minister at Trinity who noted he received a call from Murphy earlier this year inquiring if the 26th Group could move there.
Murphy said he hopes the shift to a new home will create a renewed enthusiasm for the group and enable the 26th to attract new members from the young families in the area.