After almost 200 years of serving its community, St. Andrew's United Church in Lachine is the latest church in Quebec to shut its doors.

Tucked away off a main road, the church is known for its intimate atmosphere.

"Very much so," said Minister Jeff Barlow. "It's something that's an integral part of the congregation - it's a community."

That community, however, is waning. With only 22 members left, they can no longer support the church by paying for repairs or heating.

They made the decision to close, said Barlow.

"The congregation itself decided they prefer to disband as opposed to merging, amalgamating with another congregation," he said, adding that the choice wasn't easy.

"The majority of the people who form the congregation are very elderly, and so the idea of family is terribly important to them. Their grandchildren were baptized here, they were baptized here."

The congregation has a long history in the community. Founded in 1818, it built the church on 15th Ave. in 1832.

Now that it's closing, while Barlow hopes his members will take the tradition of St. Andrews with them, he said he is open to new ideas.

"Nehemiah rebuilt the temple after their exile…I think that's very typical of what the church must do. Rebuild but not necessarily in the same old way," he said, explaining how he ushered in some new ideas at the church, including inviting Edwin Brownwell of rock band Edwin and the Bedouins to play the church organ.

"We have a beautiful little choir. It's very small, but boy do we let loose when it's time to let loose!" said Brownwell. "I really enjoyed making music with them."

Brownwell said he'll miss the church, but it's clear Minister Barlow will miss it dearly as well.

"The only definite thing that I know is that I'm not going to retire," he said.

Minister Jeff Barlow will deliver his final sermon on Dec. 18. Members of other congregations are encouraged to join.