HOWARD, S.D. (AP) — A 134-year-old rural church outside of Howard is closing.

The Daily Republic reports that Belleview Lutheran Church has scheduled its last service for June 5.

The church has 37 registered members and an average attendance of only 14 people. Church President Chloe Andenas says parishioners will merge with Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard.

The final service a week from Sunday will include a dinner and a social and is expected to draw about 350 people from across the country. Andenas says former church members who now live in Washington, California, Wyoming and Texas plan to attend.

Also scheduled to attend is the Rev. David Zellmer, bishop of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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