YOUNGSTOWN The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown announced that it will consolidate several parishes and change the use of some church buildings under a new decree issued on Saturday by Bishop David J. Bonnar. The changes, intended to reshape the diocesan structure, will take effect in two stages over the next year.

Two major Parish mergers are scheduled to be finalized on Jan. 1, 2026. The parishes of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in McDonald and Saint Mary in Mineral Ridge will combine to form Queen of Heaven Parish.

Similarly, in Youngstown, three parishes—Saint Brendan, Saint Christine, and Our Lady of Sorrows—will merge to create Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, with all weekly Masses held at Saint Christine Church as the primary worship site, effective January 1, 2026.

The existing Saint Brendan Church and Saint Matthias Church buildings will continue to be used as secondary worship sites for the new Saint Mary Magdalene Parish. The sites can still be used for baptisms, weddings, funerals, the patronal feast, and the day of dedication.

The decree also outlines changes for other properties. Due to decreased attendance, the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Youngstown will become a secondary worship site for Saint Columba Cathedral Parish. The site can still be used for baptisms, weddings, funerals, the patronal feast, and the Day of Dedication. Sunday and weekday Mass will cease as of Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Three church buildings are being closed to religious services. The original Saint Peter of the Fields Church location in Rootstown immediately ceased operations as a place of worship. In Ashtabula, Mother of Sorrows Church and Saint Joseph Church buildings will no longer be used for worship services after Nov. 30, 2025.

The Diocese says the decree reflects an effort to adjust parish communities and physical assets within the diocese.