GIRARDVILLE -- Catholic churches in several Schuylkill County communities are downsizing. Five parishes will become one by this summer.
A few years ago, if you lived in Gordon, Girardville, or Ashland, you had your pick of which Catholic church you could go to, but as of July 1, that decision will be much easier because there will be only one left to choose from.
During the height of coal mining, you could find a packed Catholic church in most communities in Schuylkill County. But times have changed, and now the churches are, too.
With fewer people showing up for mass, the Diocese of Allentown is merging parishes in Gordon, Girardville, and Ashland.
"When you get that, the expense of operating large buildings, it's like any other operation. You have to be realistic about it," said Patrick Reilly, the business manager of churches of Ashland and Gordon.
Those churches included St. Joseph parish and St. Mauritius parish in Ashland; St. Joseph parish and St. Vincent de Paul parish in Girardville; and Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Gordon.
"I see a dwindling. I don't see as many young people as I used to. It's a lot more elderly people," said Christine Lesher of Ashland.
Those five parishes will now become one and they'll all combine on Walnut Street in Ashland.
"It's just a change for them and it's hard for change."
St. Mauritius and the church in Gordon closed a few years ago, but now the diocese might look to sell the property or knock a church down.
St. Vincent de Paul will remain open for special occasion and one weekly mass.
St. Joseph in Girardville will close completely.
There's another change, too. When the churches combine, the main church will be at St. Joseph in Ashland but the parish will be called St. Charles Borromeo parish.
"It's an inconvenience and everything, but hey, at least there is somewhere to go."
Gabrielle Brennan lives in the former rectory in Gordon. She doesn't mind the merger, but wants to know what the diocese plans to do next.
"I'm just a little nervous as to what they're going to turn it into. Like sell it, knock it down, turn it into something else. We're just anxious to see what they're going to do with it."
Church officials say mass times and services will run as usual at all the churches until July 1.
There are no official plans yet to sell the other properties or knock down any buildings.
