Parish closings Archives

National Trust: One-third of Canada’s churches to close within 10 years

Catholic News Service, Church in the Americas
Mar 29, 2019

A third of Canada’s Christian architecture, some 9,000 churches, will close in the next 10 years, according to the National Trust for Canada.

Dorothy Day’s closed church could still aid NY community, researcher says

Catholic News Service, Church in the US
Dec 3, 2018

Selling Dorothy Day’s former New York parish to make way for luxury apartments would be a devastating blow to residents and former parishioners in a neighborhood threatened by gentrification, an American researcher said.

Scottish archdiocese cancels church closure plan

Church in UK and Ireland
Feb 28, 2018

A controversial plan to close several Catholic churches in Scotland has been dropped by the Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, after opposition from parishioners.

Parishioners fight to save communities after reorganization

Associated Press, Church in the US
Dec 27, 2017

Months after the Archdiocese of Hartford put in place a sweeping reorganization plan throughout its territory, some parishioners are still fighting to preserve the communities they know and love.

Holy spirits? Closed churches find second life as breweries

Associated Press, Church in the US
Oct 6, 2017

As churches close due to dwindling congregations and parish mergers, some are being given new life: As breweries and brewpubs. With stained glass, brick walls and large sanctuaries ideal for holding vats and lots of drinkers, churches renovated into breweries attract beer lovers but can grate on the spiritual sensibilities of clergy and worshipers.

Pittsburgh diocese panel proposes merging 188 parishes to 48

Associated Press, Church in the US
Sep 17, 2017

A radical new plan in the Diocese of Pittsburgh could reduce the number of parishes to a third of their current number. A diocesan commission is recommending keeping multiple worship sites open in the parishes, although some churches would close. The number of active priests in the Diocese of Pittsburgh is expected to decline from 211 to 112 by 2025.