The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

St. Patrick Church, with history since 1865, set to offer only limited services
* Archdiocese not calling it a closure, says no decision has yet been made

* McKenzie: 'It's the way of small towns'

By Kevin Spradlin
PhDispatch.com
MOUNT SAVAGE, March 22 -- An Archdiocese of Baltimore spokesman said though a decision may not come until early June, St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mount Savage is on the short list to offer only limited services.

Beginning July 1, it's expected that only weddings, funerals and baptisms will be available there.

The official refuted a congregation member's claim that St. Patrick had already been targeted for closure.

But for Mary (nee King) McKenzie, of Mount Savage, she believes it's a done deal.

"It comes from Baltimore," said McKenzie. "They have the final say. They have said, 'that's it.' This has been a threat coming down the line for a couple years. We knew, eventually, it was going to happen. This is going to be a sad day when it does close."

McKenzie said she's a third-generation Mount Savage resident and, much like the rest of the community, she's entrenched in Irish heritage in a town that was built by Irish immigrants. Her uncles - Raymond, Francis and Gene - built the Statue of the Blessed Mother that sits across from the church's main entrance. Her family's heart and soul belongs to the Mount Savage church, excavation for which began in 1862, according to Nancy Theorig, Mount Savage resident, Catholic and author of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Savage, Maryland. Theorig also writes a blog on faith-related issues.

Its cornerstone was blessed in 1865 at the close of the Civil War. Catholic Mass has been celebrated in Mount Savage since 1793 and regularly since the 1820s.

"I'm devastated," said McKenzie, a 64-year congregation member. "I went to school there. I was married (to the late Gary McKenzie) there. I had to bury him from there."

And it's not just her. McKenzie said many people in the town are "so connected. It's like the twilight zone."

McKenzie said she was a bit surprised, despite the longtime rumors, that St. Patrick's is being targeted. The former Parish Council and finance committee member said the group's finances are in great shape.

"We were one of the few churches in Allegany County that are in the black," McKenzie said.

McKenzie said the archdiocese released target contribution goals every week to each church.

"We've not only exceeded that, but we actually have a large, large surplus of money," McKenzie said.

She said deceased parishioners sometimes left their entire estates to the church - on the condition that the church remain open.

That technicality could be a part of the apparent legal discussions now taking place between the church and the archdiocese.

When weekly services are no longer offered in Mount Savage, parishioners will have to choose between three Catholic churches in Cumberland and St. Michael's in Frostburg.

That rubs some people the wrong way, McKenzie. All three Catholic churches are within just a few miles of each other and some have multiple services each week.

"Can't one of them not have a Saturday night (mass) and let us have a Saturday night," McKenzie asked.

The archdiocese emphasized that no decisions have yet been made. The next meeting of the Mountain Maryland Regional Catholic Planning Commission is scheduled for April 28 at St. Mary's in Cumberland. Parishioners are able to attend.

McKenzie said between 100 and 130 people regularly attend weekly Mass at St. Patrick's.