CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Archdiocese of Chicago will be closing seven churches as part of a new consolidation plan involving two dozen churches in the city and suburbs.According to the Archdiocese, of the 24 churches that are part of the consolidation plan called Renew My Church, seven parishes will eventually be closing on the city's Southeast and Northwest sides.
In the city's East Side neighborhood, St. Francis de Sales Church and St. George Church will be closing, while St. Kevin Church in South Deering remains open for masses and all three of those parishes will become part of the current Annunciata Church. The merged parish will get a new name by July.Also closing are Our Lady Gate of Heaven in Jeffery Manor and Our Lady of Peace and St. Bride in South Shore. They will become part of St. Philip Neri Parish which will also get a new name.St. Timothy Church and St.Henry Church in West Rogers Park on the North Side will be closing and be a part of St. Margaret Mary Church.Some churches will merge with other parishes, but will remain open. For instance, St. Simon the Apostle Church on the Southwest Side will become part of St. Gall Church, but will remain open.St. Clare of Montefalco will become part of St. Rita of Cascia Parish and will operate as a satellite church of St. Rita's.St. Rene Church and St. Symphorosa Church will form a new parish which will get a new name. Still, regularly scheduled masses will take place at both locations on the Southwest Side. The business office and parish records will be kept at the St. Symphorosa site.On the Northwest Side, St. Genevieve and St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr will form a single parish known as Saints Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church. Both churches will remain open for masses with the St. Genevieve location being designated as the parish church where the business office and records will be kept.In Elk Grove Village, St. Julian Eymard Parish and Queen of the Rosary Parish will form a new parish and get a new name, but masses will continue to be celebrated at both locations. The business office and parish records will remain at the Queen of the Rosary.In Waukegan, St. Anastasia Church and St. Dismas will unite and be given a new name. Masses will continue at both churches.