3 churches closing in 2 Pittsburgh-area mergers

MONONGAHELA, Pa. (AP) — A 110-year-old church is one of three closing next month as the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh merges two parishes with dwindling membership in the Monongahela River valley.

The historic St. Anthony Church was merged with Transfiguration Church in 2011 to create the new St. Damien of Molokai parish in Monongahela, a depressed former mill town. Both church buildings had remained open as worship sites, however.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik says dwindling membership caused church officials to consider closing both church buildings. Instead, Transfiguration will remain open under the St. Damien name after St. Anthony’s closes April 28.

Holy Cross Parish in East Pittsburgh is also merging with Good Shepherd Parish in nearby Braddock. Holy Cross had two worship sites, St. Helen and St. William churches, both of which will close as part of that merger.