St. Matthias Catholic Church holds first mass in over 2 years
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Parishioners held mass in one North Side church they're trying to keep open.
It was the first Sunday mass at St. Matthias Catholic Church in more than two years.
The Archdiocese lets the church, located at 2310 W. Ainslie St. in Lincoln Square, hold mass twice a year while parishioners appeal the decision to close its doors.
St. Matthias was closed when it merged with Queen of Angels to form the new Queen of Apostles Parish.
"We don't understand why they decided to close our church. It's beautiful, it's in good condition – and we have the volume to keep it open, and the financial wherewithal from this committee to keep it so it doesn't cost the new parish or the Archdiocese any money," said Terry Tuohy of the Save St. Matthias Committee Board.
The Archdiocese in a statement said:
"St. Matthias Parish unified with Queen of Angels Parish in 2020 as part of the archdiocese's Renew My Church initiative. St. Matthias Church's regular Sunday Masses fully transitioned to Queen of Angels in January 2021. St. Matthias Church has remained a sacred space (worship site) as it has not been relegated. The church has been available for the school to use for its Masses."
The mass took place at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
