Saint Joseph the Worker in Falls and Immaculate Conception in Bristol Township were two of the more than dozen Catholic parishes to held their final mass on Sunday.
The two Levittown-area church will merge with other nearby parishes starting Tuesday. Saint Joseph the Worker will merge with Saint Frances Cabrini and Immaculate Conception could join with Queen of the Universe in Middletown. Also nearby, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Bensalem will merge with St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Croydon.
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The consolidation of parishes comes after a committee released recommendations in late spring. The study by the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee was part of an effort to measure if parishes had “the resources necessary to accomplish their roles in the mission of Christ while remaining sustainable and vibrant faith communities.”
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Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Bristol Township, Rev. Timothy O’Sullivan, will move to Sacred Heart Church in Montgomery County.
The closure of Saint Joseph the Worker in Falls did not come as a surprise for some members, many of whom have talked about a pending closure for years. Earlier this year, the archdiocese sold a portion of land at the Saint Joseph the Worker property. The sale price, exact amount of land, buyer and settlement date are currently unknown.
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Some parishioners at Saint Joseph the Worker are working to save the property’s Field of Life and Adoration Chapel. The Archdiocese confirmed Monday morning that the Saint Joseph the Worker facility will remain open for now as a “worship center.”
The archdiocese said the study looked at demographic, financial and spiritual activity followed by consultation with parish leadership and parishioners. Over the past decade, many area Catholic churches have been faced with declining donations and attendance.
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The Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee was made up of lay persons, priests and church staff.
The archdiocese will go from 266 parishes to 219 come Tuesday.
