Three parishes set to merge in Columbiana County at the start of new year
Three parishes in Columbiana County will be merging on January 1, 2026, according to a news release from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.
According to the release, Saint Jude, Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbiana and Saint Patrick in Leetonia will be merging into one parish.
The reason for the merger is described to be an "acute shortage of priests" and a declining number of parishioners attending weekend Mass.
On November 17, 2025, a petition was presented ot the Diocesan Presbyteral Council by three pastoral and financial councils citing the issues, requesting to be merged into one parish.
According to the release, the council unanimously recommended that Bishop David Bonnar approve the merger.
A name for the newly merged parish has not been released at this time.
"Change is never easy, but these changes are necessitated by our lack of clergy resources and financial challenges. I believe we are always stronger when we are together," said Bishop Bonnar.
Bonnar continued," This new arrangement will allow for an even more vibrant faith community for years to come. The church is a living organism and more than just bricks and mortar. I invite the faithful of the newly merged parish to work with their pastor in bringing life and unity to this portion of the Lord's vineyard."
Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Patrick will be used as sites for the celebration of Feast Days, along with the following:
- Date of Dedication
- Baptisms
- Marriages
- Masses of Christian Burial
- One weekday mass per site
Reverend Chad Johnson has been appointed as pastor, and Deacon Christopher Evans and Deacon Lawrence Pasko will serve as deacons.
