Catholics in Dearborn can expect parish changes with the upcoming merger of two churches in the community.
St. Martha Catholic Church is in the process of closing to merge with St. Joseph's Catholic Church. They will form the newly named St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish at the St. Joseph's site, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The Archdiocese of Detroit parishes are among those affected by downsizing plans to address attendance and financial issues.
The Dearborn churches have deep roots in the community.
St. Joseph's was originally founded to serve Catholics during World War II, celebrating its first Mass in a Greenfield and Rotunda storefront in 1942. In 1953, ground was broken for the church on the 10-acre site it sits on today.
St. Martha Catholic Church, across from Oakwood Hospital, celebrated its first Mass ceremonies at Snow Elementary School and the Edison Institute at Greenfield Village while the church was being built. It opened in July 1955 and soon after built a school and convent. The school was closed in 1974.
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