Pocono News Section

Mid Valley Church Holds Final Mass

Mid Valley Church Holds Final Mass - Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Sunday, Feb 14, 2010 @ 06:15pm EST
OLYPHANT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- The final piece to a Lackawanna County Mid Valley church consolidation plan fell into place Sunday.

Holy Ghost Church in Olyphant held its final mass Sunday morning. Many parishioners fought back tears as they prayed one last time as a congregation.

Holy Ghost and St. Michael the Archangel churches have merged with St. Patrick church in town. The Diocese of Scranton plan brings the three churches together as one -- a difficult decision that church goers have accepted as part of changing times.

Parishioner Ted Lengyel said, "I feel it's necessary with the economy and that it will be good for the preservation of the church."

Robert Bieszczad said, "All the people who came to this church. It's going to seem very, very hard just going by and not seeing this church here anymore"

The closing of Holy Ghost Church comes just one week after St. Michael the Archangel held its final mass.