The last service in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, in Whitehaven St, is due to be held this Sunday, after which the building is expected to be deconsecrated and sold.
The township of Lawrence grew up around the church, the first building opening in Lawrence in 1871. Before that, from 1876, Anglican services were held in the Wesleyan church or in the local school.
The present red-brick church was consecrated in 1925, by Bishop Isaac Richards, a previous vicar of the parish.
Milton-Tuapeka parish Vicar, the Rev Vivienne Galletly, of Milton, said the church and congregation made the decision to leave the site last year after ''years of reflection, prayer and seeking God's way forward''.
The regular congregation was down to less than 10 people, and it had become an economic choice.
''The Lawrence congregation, the Parish Vestry and the wider Diocese including the Bishop have sadly agreed that Holy Trinity Lawrence will be secularised and that ministry and pastoral care will be offered in the Lawrence-Tuapeka area in other ways.''
That would likely mean a once-monthly service in Lawrence be held either in someone's home, as had been done during winter for several years, or at a local hall.
The church was trying to contact families whose ancestors donated fittings or who had memorials at or inside the church, so those items could be distributed appropriately.
While no definite decisions had been made, it was likely the church fittings would be relocated to other churches and the building offered for sale, she said.
The bell tower of the church, which was retained from the original church building, has a Historic Place Category 2 rating.
The community was involved in restoring the bell tower in the late 1970s, which was rededicated by Bishop Peter Mann in June 1980, when a tree was planted and a plaque erected to commemorate the occasion.
The final service would be held at 8.30am on Sunday , so the 300 people attending Lawrence District School's 150th celebration had the opportunity to attend.
A light breakfast would follow the service, to be conducted by Bishop Kelvin Wright.
