On Dec. 7, Reverend Jason A. Glover, pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows and Saint Stanislaus parishes in Erie, announced that The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, has accepted his request to relegate Holy Family Parish to “profane but not sordid use” after consultation with the Presbyteral Council.
This designation, rooted in canon law, means the church building will no longer be reserved for divine worship and may be used for non-religious purposes. The decision follows a process initiated when a pastor, with the support of parish councils, determines that a church building can no longer be maintained.
Reverend Glover cited the poor physical condition of Holy Family Church and the financial burden on Our Mother of Sorrows Parish as key reasons for the petition, which received unanimous support from both the parish finance and pastoral councils.
Holy Family Parish has a rich history, originally established in 1907 to serve Slovak families in Erie’s lower east side. The current church building was completed in 1942. Over the years, the parish partnered with neighboring parishes and, in 2017, became a secondary church without mission status, meaning Mass was no longer celebrated there regularly.
There is currently an active offer to purchase the entire Holy Family complex. Our Mother of Sorrows has been in long-term negotiations with R.B. Wiley Charter School, which is interested in acquiring the church and surrounding buildings—an opportunity to rehabilitate the abandoned property for community use.
The Diocese of Erie has announced that Holy Family Church in Erie will be relegated to “profane but not sordid use” effective Dec. 29, 2025, following a decree issued by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico. The full decree, including historical details and the reasoning behind the decision, is available at www.ErieRCD.org/bishop/decrees.html.
The decision comes after Reverend Jason A. Glover, pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows and Saint Stanislaus parishes, petitioned the bishop in November 2025. The petition received unanimous support from the parish finance and pastoral councils. Under Canon 1222 §2, a church may be relegated when grave reasons exist, provided the good of souls is not harmed.
Holy Family Church is in severe disrepair, with structural concerns so significant that some parishioners refuse to enter. A diocesan facilities review found extensive deficiencies, making renovation impractical. The church has seen minimal use in recent years—only five funerals since 2022, one wedding, and no baptisms or confirmations. The associated school, convent, and rectory have been abandoned for eight years, attracting vandalism.
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish faces serious financial strain, responsible for maintaining three churches and seven other properties. Holy Family alone cost $10,660 to maintain in the last fiscal year. The parish has operated at a deficit for most of its existence and currently owes $643,000 in past-due assessments. Annual income has dropped from $293,000 in 2016 to $114,000 in 2024.
There is an active offer from R.B. Wiley Charter School to purchase the entire Holy Family complex, including the church, school, and convent. This sale represents the best hope for rehabilitating the property and preventing further deterioration.
Sacraments and worship remain readily available at Saint Casimir (0.3 miles away), Saint Stanislaus (1 mile away), and other nearby churches. The bishop confirmed that the relegation will not harm the spiritual care of parishioners.