Philadelphia parish closing because of low attendance, safety issues

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has approved the closure of a Philadelphia parish due to low Mass attendance and a church building whose physical condition creates “safety issues.”

The archbishop announced the closure of Ascension of Our Lord Parish, located in the Harrowgate section of northeast Philadelphia, on Sept. 25. The closure is effective Oct. 1.

“Due to serious issues with the physical condition of the Ascension of Our Lord church building, it had not been utilized for quite some time,” the Philadelphia archdiocese said. “Masses were being celebrated in the parish rectory and the former school building due to safety issues with the church building and low Mass attendance.”

The necessary physical improvements have an estimated cost of $3 million.

Parishioners were informed of the closure through announcements at weekend Masses.

The parish school closed in 2011. [More]

SOURCE

CNA