A counter-proposal from the “family” of Catholic parishes in Lockport was presented to Bishop Michael W. Fisher and his advisers on Tuesday. While accepting the merger of All Saints and St. John the Baptist parishes as suggested by the Diocese of Buffalo, for the purpose of sharing resources, trustees of the two parishes proposed keeping Church Street-based St. Patrick’s Church open alongside Chestnut Street-based St. John’s church.
In June, the diocese announced its intention to merge All Saints Parish with St. John’s Parish, and close and sell St. Patrick’s Church and the St. Joseph campus on Market Street. Property sale proceeds would finance renovations at the St. John’s educational building.
According to trustee Paul Reid, that plan does not sit will with All Saints parishioners.
“Lockport is a pretty good sized city with a pretty good sized Catholic community,” he said, suggesting both churches should be kept open.
The St. John’s educational building is in massive disrepair and not worth the expense of renovations, Reid added.
A decision from the diocese whether to accept the counter proposal or press on with its own plan is expected in the first or second week of September. Reid said he and the other trustees “walked out feeling pretty good” after their meeting with Fisher.
“We’re hopeful. Collectively the family here in Niagara County is hopeful that the diocese will see it our way,” he said.
Closure of any church would not occur until spring of 2025, according to Reid.
All Saints parishioner Anita Mullane said the closure of St. Patrick’s Church would affect generations of Lockport residents and stir old, unhappy feelings. All Saints Parish is the product of the diocese-ordered 2008 merger of St. Patrick’s, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s parishes, the latter where Mullane belonged for 50 years.
“It hits home,” she said. “I’m afraid if we continue on this path there won’t be any parish for my grandchildren or any future generations to be able to have the sacraments of the Catholic Church, which we were raised with” in Lockport.
Two trustees from each of the four parishes in the same family — All Saints, St. John the Baptist, Immaculate Conception Church (Ransomville) and St. Brendan on the Lake (Newfane) — attended the meeting with Fisher.
The diocese’s “Road to Renewal” consolidation plan is its response to a shortage of priests and declining church membership. Also in Niagara County, the diocese has recommended closing the Our Lady of the Rosary worship site in Wilson, merging St. Stephen parish in Middleport with Holy Trinity parish in Medina, and in Niagara Falls, closing Our Lady of Mount Carmel, merging St. John de LaSalle with St. Vincent de Paul, merging Divine Mercy with St. Mary of the Cataract, and merging St. Raphael with St. Peter’s in Lewiston.