Jamesville (WSYR-TV) - Mass was held on Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church for the first time since it was closed in 2007.
Hundreds of people packed the church in Jamesville. After it closed, the parish community at St. Mary’s was merged with that of Holy Cross in DeWitt.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse – like other dioceses across New York State – has closed numerous churches over the past decade due to dwindling membership and the priest shortage.
A small group of parishioners from St. Mary’s in Jamesville, however, has consistently opposed the diocese’s decision to close it.
The Vatican has ruled that the church can be opened for certain events such as special Masses, weddings, and funerals.
