Residents in the Merritt area will say goodbye to the Murray Church this Sunday.

The 143-year-old building burned to the ground in January after it was targeted by an alleged arsonist.

Trinity United Church Board Chair Linda Baird says it is a chance for people to say goodbye.

“We will have a trumpeter do “The Last Post”, sort of to say farewell,” she said. “Just to allow the people the people that want to go there, the tape is down around the church yard now, and it’s just around the building.”

She noted the farewell comes just before clean up at the site gets underway in a week or two.

“And for people that have family or relatives buried out there, they can come too,” Baird added. “We’ve heard from a lot of people who have family there, who have indicated that they would like to come.”

As for the turnout expected this Sunday?

“That’s a good guess,” said Baird. “It depends on the weather and what people are doing.”

The memorial service will get underway at 2:00 p.m., and Baird says it’s open to everyone.

The church was the oldest building in the Nicola Valley.