George Street United will mark 150 years of history in a special, and what will no doubt be an emotional service this afternoon.

The congregation of the iconic church on the west end of George Street decided to disband earlier this year in the face of mounting financial pressure.

Regular Sunday services wrapped up in June, but a special celebratory service is planned today to allow families connected to the congregation to say their final goodbyes.

A display of the church’s 150 year history is also available inside the sanctuary.  Today’s service takes place at 2:00 p.m.

George Street Methodist Church was constructed in 1873 from stone taken from the Southside Hills, and was designed by Elijah Hoole of London, England. It was the second Methodist congregation in St. John’s, after Gower Street.  It has hosted over 10,000 services and has been served by more than 40 miniters.

It survived the Great Fire of 1892 and was designated as a Registered Heritage Structure in 2000.