Nope, you are wrong. It varied widely by location and jurisdiction, but you can find lots of articles in the 1918 press about churches being closed. Here's one from Humboldt County, California...
As Spanish Influenza swept through the community, officials imposed strict measures against crowds and by mid-October, churches were asked to shut their doors. Even though congregations in Washington, D.C. were continuing to meet outdoors, local faith leaders were asked not to do the same.Here's another from the Santa Ana Daily Register, December 21, 1918. I could provide many more very quickly.
In response, the local Ministerial Union encouraged families of all faiths to gather and pray together for the needs of the world, the nation and the community. They also suggested asked that this be done during the regular hour of church service to create more united prayer, even though not in one place, certainly of one accord, and of one spirit. The ministers asked their members to pray for the end of the flu, so that the epidemic might soon be over.Lastly from 1918...When congregants were allowed to gather toward the end of November, they wore masks. Over the next few years, the flu resurfaced periodically and in February of 1920, the Presbyterian Church in Blue Lake canceled services because of the flu. Instead, families were encouraged to focus on religious activity and supplies were delivered to the churchs Sunday school students so they could continue their studies.
Very enlightening thank you.
I said notice they didnt close the churches based on the newspaper stories in the post. They were just asked to keep their windows open.
But knowing that churches did voluntarily or involuntarily close actually gives me some hope. Obviously they came back. I have seen huge damage to the church during this time. Perhaps pruning and sifting should not be considered damage but it seems like it.