St. Mary's Church by Marcbela / Wikimedia Commons
A Catholic church in the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, is in need of repairs that would cost more than $10 million — leading the diocese to decide, after a year of assessment, to close the church and sell the property.
Founded in the 1830s, St. Mary’s Church and Parish in Taunton has been out of use since November 2023 due to repair needs and safety concerns, according to the Fall River Reporter. The church was built in 1868, according to the Taunton Daily Gazette.
Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha ’s office communicated the decision about St. Mary’s Church to parishioners in a June 30 letter also signed by the Taunton Catholic North Collaborative Unification Team, which includes representatives from St. Mary’s, St. Anthony, and St. Jude the Apostle Parishes, and their pastors and deacons.
The estimated expense to sustainably repair the church “is simply beyond the parish’s current and projected resources,” the signatories wrote, explaining that “with heavy hearts and aware of how difficult this decision is,” the church will have to close.
“For many of us, this church is not just a place of worship, it is a spiritual home filled with memories, milestones and deep connections,” they said. “Please know that this decision was not made lightly.”
The team made the decision after prayer, deliberation, and consultation to determine what would be best for the faithful in the long-term.
The diocese has spent the past year also considering “potential buyers who may be interested in preserving the building and maintaining it in a respectful and meaningful way,” the signatories explained. “Our hope is to find a path forward that honors the historical value of the church, even if it can no longer serve as our place of worship.”
The team will provide updates as the situation continues and is working with the bishop’s office team to plan an event celebrating the parish’s legacy.
“This will be a time,” the signatories wrote, “to come together with gratitude, reflection, and hope for the future.”
