WARREN, Ohio - Two Catholic churches in Warren have merged together according to the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

Saint John Paul II Parish and St. Mary Parish have merged effective November 28, 2021.

According to the release, Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar accepted the recommendation of Rev. Frantisek Katrinak and members of the pastoral and financial councils to merge the two parishes.

The groups submitted a letter with the signed petitions for the merger on November 10.

The release says the financial picture of St. John Paul II Parish's expenditures was consistently exceeding their revenue. The coronavirus pandemic, an aging and largely retired parish on fixed incomes and other expenses were cited as reasons for the move.

The parishioners made efforts to raise money for the church but they were not able to raise enough for a long-term solution.

St. John Paul II Parish was created in 2011 from the merger of three other churches: St. Joseph, Christ Our Kind and St. Pius X.

St. Mary Parish was established in 1835 and the current church was built in 1907.

The merger comes on the same day as two Campbell churches officially closed.

The parish's offices will be at St. Mary's.