The Diocese of Pittsburgh will close seven of eight churches in its Saint Joseph the Worker Parish next month.
During Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses, pastors read churchgoers a letter written by Bishop Mark Eckman, outlining the closure of the seven churches — Good Shepherd in Braddock, Sacred Heart in Braddock Hills, Madonna del Castello and Saint Anselm in Swissvale, Saint Colman in Turtle Creek, Saint John Fisher in Churchill and Saint Jude the Apostle in Wilmerding.
Saint Maurice Church in Forest Hills will be the only building kept open, according to the letter. The other seven churches will close effective March 12.
“I recognize that this news brings a time of significant change and a sense of loss,” the letter said. “For many years, you’ve poured your lives into these sacred buildings, strengthened your communities with holy faith, fervent prayer and tireless service.
“While we say goodbye to physical space, our mission remains unchanged. We are people of resurrection, and even in seasons of pruning, there is the promise of new life.”
‘It’s like losing your home’
The eight churches merged in July 2020, forming Saint Joseph the Worker Parish. According to the Saint Joseph the Worker parish website, only three of the eight churches host weekend Mass — Saint Anselm, Saint John Fisher and Saint Maurice.
Declining Mass attendance and rising financial constraints have led to church closures in the diocese since 2021, the letter said. An analysis of the eight-church parish — aimed at restructuring church buildings — was conducted last year. Meetings were held to inform and gather feedback from church members.
Forest Hills resident Patrick Lanigan was not surprised to hear of the closures as he sat in a pew at Saint John Fisher Church Sunday morning.
“I think everybody was waiting for the ball to drop,” said Lanigan, 74.
“It’s sad. I feel badly for a lot of the people who have gone to their churches, maybe even for a good portion of their lives. It’s hard. It is hard to give up.”
Lanigan has gone through church mergers or closures four times in the nearly 40 years he has lived in his Forest Hills home.
“It’s like losing your home and moving,” he said. “There’s separation. But there’s also new life. Hopefully, folks can find that and start to feel comfortable and give it a chance.”
‘It’s a shame’
Bethel Park resident John Porter was sad to hear about the closing of Saint Anselm — the church where he was baptized.
“It’s a shame,” said Porter, 62, “but I think it’s (a sign of) things to come.”
Rev. Michael Stumpf, pastor of Saint John Fisher, empathized with the churchgoers who sat silently as he informed them their church will shutter in about a month.
“It probably brings forth, for many of us, thoughts, emotions — all of which are valid,” he told the dozens lining the pews.
“We do our best to … walk with one another, encourage one another, support one another through these transitions.”
