The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo plans to merge and close several parishes, impacting local communities and churchgoers in Niagara County.
Back in May, the diocese announced they’d be merging or closing about a third of their 160 parishes in Western New York. They’re facing challenges like fewer people attending services, not enough priests, and financial issues. They even filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to a bunch of lawsuits from the Child Victims Act.
In eastern Niagara County, the plan includes merging All Saints with St. John’s and selling off some church properties. They’ll also be relocating the Sister Helen Food Pantry and making some changes to a building for a priest’s residence.
When the diocese shared their merger plans, a group called “Family 10,” which includes All Saints and St. John’s, pushed back. They agreed to merge but wanted to keep St. Patrick’s church open. However, the final decision means St. John’s will also have to give up some property.
The plan also calls for closing Our Lady of the Rosary church, which has frustrated some local worshippers. Attendance dropped after previous mergers, and now they’re worried about losing their church altogether. The Wilson Community Food Pantry operates from there, and the director is looking for a new place before their lease runs out in 2025.
Additionally, Holy Trinity’s Middleport site, St. Stephen’s church, will close, and congregants will be redirected to St. Mary’s in Medina. St. Stephen’s used to host a food pantry, but it has since moved to a different location.
Lastly, there are some changes in parish assignments, with Our Lady of the Lake parish being reassigned to a different family of churches. They expect that by 2030, three churches will share one priest. It’s a lot of change for the community, and many are feeling the impact.
