St. Januarius Catholic Church in Plum will close next month.
The final day for the Renton Road church, part of Holy Family Parish, is set for Sept. 23, according to a decree from Bishop David Zubic posted on the parish website Sunday.
“The age and structural condition of the buildings owned by the municipality, including the church buildings, as well as their maintenance exceed the financial capabilities of the municipality,” the decree states.
The cost of the roof, boiler and gas line is estimated at $236,000, which the diocese says “exceeds the parish’s ability to pay.”
The decision came after two parish meetings in June to discuss the possible closure of the church. A pastor submitted a petition on July 25 recommending the move, the decree said.
The Holy Family parish “does not need St. Januarius” and “pastoral care will not be affected” because its members worship in other parish churches, the diocese said.
Other churches in the community include St. Irenaeus in Oakmont, St. Joseph in Verona, and Our Lady of Joy and St. John the Baptist in Plum.
Reachable by telephone, representatives of the parish and St. John the Baptist referred questions to the diocese’s communications department, which did not provide any further information by press time.
St. Januarius was founded in 192 and the cornerstone of the church was laid on March 23, 1952. The first mass in the church was held in November of the same year. It was officially consecrated in October 1960. In July 2020, it merged with Holy Family Parish.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter who covers general news in Western Pennsylvania and has a love of festivals and food. You can reach him at [email protected].
