Philadelphia Archdiocese to Merge 12 Parishes into 5

By Pat Loeb
CBS Philly
April 15, 2012

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/04/15/philadelphia-archdiocese-announces-more-parishes-to-merge/

[with video]

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)– The Philadelphia Archdiocese has announced it will close seven parishes in Northwest Philadelphia and Coatesville.

They include St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Conception in Germantown as well as St. Josephat, St. Lucy and St. Mary of the Assumption in Manayunk.

In Coatesville, St. Cecilia and St. Stanislaus Kostka will close.

The closings were announced at Mass, Sunday, but the archdiocese says parishioners were sent letters earlier so they were prepared.

The parishes will be merged into other churches, located nearby. Many of the buildings will remain open, during a transition period, for weddings, funerals and special services. Only St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Conception will close completely.

The closings are scheduled for July 1st.