BUXTON – The oldest nonprofit group in Buxton is gone.

The Pythian Sisters Narragansett Temple 111 in Buxton has disbanded and has transferred ownership of its building to the Buxton Community Food Co-op.

Joann Groder, founder of the food co-op and a Pythian Sisters member, attributed the disbanding of the local group to an aging and dwindling membership. Groder, who belonged to the temple for 52 years, said it was founded in 1896 and was the oldest nonprofit group in Buxton.

Membership was down to 22 women, though only five had attended recent meetings in Buxton.

“Our people are sad,” Groder said.

The Pythian Sisters has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The Pythian Sisters organization, according to its website, “is engaged in altruistic efforts second to none among women’s organizations.” In Buxton, the group annually hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner and this year gave a $1,000 scholarship to help a Buxton student attend college.

The food co-op has operated since 2008 at the now defunct temple on Route 22.

The temple’s demise comes about a year after a state police raid on the building. On May 20, 2009, state police raided a poker tournament, which generated funds the food co-op used to help pay for heat and lights in the building.

State police, who said at that time that a nonprofit entity benefiting from a card game required a license, said that 35 people were involved in an unlicensed Texas Hold ’em tournament.

The state raid raised public outrage.

The case was turned over to York County District Attorney’s Office for review, but charges have yet to be filed. Mark Lawrence, York County district attorney, had no update on the case when contacted this week. But Groder said she hadn’t heard anything recently about the raid.

Joann Groder, left, and Carolyn Moore, both of Buxton, say declining membership led to disbanding Pythian Sisters Narragansett Temple 111 in Buxton. The building has been transferred to Buxton Community Food Co-op. (Staff photo by Robert Lowell)