Parish Closures

The Latest

The interior of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, in Missouri.

No closures recommended for St. Louis Catholic elementary schools, archdiocese says

Dec 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Pastors at each of the 25 Catholic elementary schools eyed for closure earlier this year have recommended that their schools... Read more

St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.

New Orleans Archdiocese to close 10% of parishes, merge others

Nov 1, 2023

By SueAnn Howell, O.C.D.S.

This consolidation is the archdiocese's largest restructuring plan since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Read more

Stained-glass window at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis.

Vatican agrees to review closures of two St. Louis parishes amid archdiocesan restructuring

Oct 31, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Both parishes had been subsumed into others in recent months, creating new parish groupings. Read more

CNA

One-third of St. Louis Catholic schools face possible closure 

Sep 28, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The schools being considered for closure were chosen based on enrollment numbers, demographic trends, financial strength, and other factors. Read more

Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago

Chicago archdiocese announces new groupings from parish mergers

Feb 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

As part of its “Renew My Church” initiative the Archdiocese of Chicago recently announced 12 new parish groupings. By July,... Read more

Credit: Unsplash.

Black parishes in Chicago closing disproportionately due to low attendance, official says

Mar 31, 2021

Amid a plan to merge and close dozens of parishes, the Archdiocese of Chicago has disproportionately closed parishes that minister... Read more

St. Paul's Cathedral, Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh diocese announces first wave of parish mergers

May 20, 2019

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced the first results of a sweeping reorganization of its parishes, creating five new parishes... Read more

     Inside of St. Joseph's Chapel, Battery Park, NY.

Catholics desperate to save 9/11 chapel in New York

May 3, 2017

By Mary Farrow

On September 11, 2001, Justine Cuccia was nine months pregnant when she watched in horror as two hijacked planes crash... Read more

St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City.

Pain and growth as Archdiocese of New York reorganizes

Nov 5, 2014

By Mary Farrow

The parishioners at Holy Innocents were relieved to hear that their parish will remain open following concerns that it might... Read more

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput at the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia archdiocese announces 24 parishes to merge

Jun 3, 2013

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sunday announced the merger of 24 parishes into 10, saying the changes will “ultimately strengthen... Read more

Ascension of Our Lord Parish.

Philadelphia parish closing because of low attendance, safety issues

Sep 26, 2012

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has approved the closure of a Philadelphia parish due to low Mass attendance and a church... Read more

Bishop Blase J. Cupich.

Wash. diocese reaches sex abuse agreement to save parishes

Jun 1, 2012

The Diocese of Spokane, Wash. has reached a mediation agreement in a sex abuse suit that will save parishes from... Read more