Abraham Lincoln was just a teen when Fairmount Associate Reformed Church opened its doors in 1822.

Members of the congregation like to mention that as their church, which lays claim to being the oldest one in Franklin Park, marks its 185th anniversary today.

In an era of huge churches that offer entertainment-filled services, however, Fairmount's 50 active members hope it can continue to survive.

"We really believe there's a reason that we've been kept going," said Kay Baumann, of Franklin Park, church organist and a member since 1972. "We're determined to do our best to keep things going."

The congregation will hold a special service at 10 a.m. today to celebrate the birthday at the church, which has been declared a state historic landmark. Anyone who ever attended the church, just off Route 910, has been invited.

"They built this church here because this was the main highway at the time," said Charles Kulbacki, of Bell Acres, a 30-year member.

The church's first building was a log structure built on land donated by David Duff, the area's first justice of the peace. He had received the property from Sheriff William McCandless in 1805.

"David Duff had a mill, and he apparently offered his property as a meeting place. It was a custom in those days to name the church after the person who donated the property," Mrs. Baumann said.

Later, a brick church was built on the top of a hill and renamed Fairmount, Mr. Kulbacki said. That church burned down 100 years ago, and the cornerstone was laid for the present building in November 1902.

The church maintains many of its original architectural features, including a pressed tin ceiling and the original windows. Four large lights on the ceiling cover the holes where four potbellied stoves and chimneys provided warmth for worshipers.

A one-room school stood on the property at one time, Mrs. Baumann said. It was depicted on a map in 1851 as Fairmount School.

The church cemetery contains a lot of local history, members said. A Revolutionary War soldier, identified as "Capt. Rogers," is buried there, as well as Civil War soldiers and other people whose names hold local significance -- Neely, Campbell, Duff, Eakin, Wilkin and Pinkerton, among them.

"If you visit the graveyard next to the church building, you'll find the names of people born before the Revolutionary War as well as folks from every generation since. There are streets and even cities in the area named for people in those graves," said the Rev. Anthony Cowley, pastor. "And, there are living descendants of many of those early and founding members still worshipping with the congregation today."

Old church session records also have historical significance. In one record, two sisters, Nancy and Minerva Duff, were appointed church janitors at $38 a year "and free pew rent."

Mrs. Baumann explained, "In the early 1900s and before, one of the ways churches raised money was to charge rent for the pews. That way, you had your own pew, and that's where you always sat."

Mr. Kulbacki said session minutes show that the church was host to oyster dinners and took up collections for freed slaves after the Civil War.

One hundred years ago, the church had 238 members.

A Sunday school was added in 1970, but with only a handful of children remaining in the church, it is no longer used.

"It wasn't that long ago that we had a full Sunday school, an adult Sunday school. We had a youth group that would go on retreats," Mr. Kulbacki said. "It was a full-service church."

Although its membership has dwindled to 50, the church maintains a choir and ministers to its members who need help, whether it's with meals, prayers or financial aid.

"I think all that stuff helps hold us together," said Walter "Scotty" Martin, of Franklin Park, a member for "at least" 60 years.

Today's "special service of thanksgiving" will be a mixture of traditional and contemporary. Special music will be provided by the family of the pastor. Old photos will be displayed, and refreshments will be served after the service.

"We live in different places, and most of us aren't related, but it's like one big family," Mr. Kulbacki said.