LANSFORD -- A Catholic school in Carbon County is closing, the last remaining Catholic school in Panther Valley.
The Diocese of Allentown announced the upcoming school closure, along with the closure of two churches.
Our Lady of Angels Academy in Lansford at one point had about 800 students, but over the years, that has dwindled down to just over 100 students who attend the Catholic school now.
The Diocese of Allentown says it can't afford to keep the school open without drastic hikes to tuition, so instead it's closing the school and the church right next door.
Parishioners of Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Lansford and those with students who go to school at Our Lady of Angels Academy found out over the weekend that the diocese will close both the school and the parish by July.
"My husband's uncle is 93 years old, and he graduated from this school. We didn't tell him yet," said Polly Thamarus of Lansford.
Thamarus was expecting her grandson to follow the family tradition and graduate from Our Lady of Angels, but now that won't happen.
He, along with about 100 other kindergarten through eighth graders will have to find another school to go to next year, and the parishioners of the church will have to worship at another Catholic church in Summit Hill.
"All the kids are upset. The parents are upset. The children are devastated," said Thamarus.
Tom Mogish attends services at Saint Katharine's and believes once the school and church closes, many students and parishioners won't be able to go to the next closest Catholic school or church.
"I know a lot of people walk to the church. They don't even drive, and for this to close down. I know one guy in particular, he doesn't drive, so I have no idea where he is going to go after this," said Mogish.
For students at Our Lady of Angels in Lansford, the next closest Catholic schools are in Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe. Each is at least a 20-minute drive away.
