Church Reductions - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Church Reductions

Some churches in your area might be affected by a reduction of churches.

The head of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw said about half of it's 109 places of worship will reduce or end services over the next three years.

Bishop Joseph Cistone announced the cuts at Bay City's St. Joseph church, where regular Masses will end in July 2014.

The diocese covers 11 counties in central lower Michigan and says 109,000 people count themselves as members.

These numbers are down about 32% since 1988.

The diocese says that so far, no churches are slated to close.

Cistone says the diocese is designating 56 of the 109 churches as parish churches, 24 for additional use, and 29 for occasional use.

The bishop says the decision to sell the churches will be up to the parish's administration.