Ultralight, we have several small churches in our little Ohio township. There used to be two, a Baptist and a Methodist in my “town” (which also has a body shop with a tow truck and an elementary school - plus houses) but the Methodist church closed because of reduced membership. the next “town” over (3 miles) has a Presbyterian church, a barbq joint which used to be a general grocery and sandwhich shop, a playground, a restaurant in the old school that is open 4 days a week, a post office that offers package pick up, postage, and p.o. boxes, but does not service mail routes or sort mail, and a tractor repair place.
between the two “towns”is the fire station - which serves as that community hub you are missing - voting, charity events, club meetings, youth activities, baby showers, even weddings.
things change.