The Springfield Catholic Diocese is closing the St. Francis Chapel downtown and has put the building up for sale.
The diocese says the church on Bridge Street has faced staffing shortages and operating deficits in recent years.
Those who attended daily services are encouraged to find other nearby churches on the diocesan website.
A spokesman for the Diocese says despite creative ways to increase income, including renting unused office space, just last fiscal year alone the operating deficit was in excess of $60,000 for expenditures including compensation for the priests who served at the chapel, employee salaries, liturgical supplies, utilities, and, especially, the ongoing costs to maintain a structure exceeding the proportionate need.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak, WHYN News)