Gary church holds final mass before closing

GARY – Gary’s Blessed Sacrament Church has closed its doors after a final Mass, one of several northwestern Indiana Catholic churches closing due to dwindling attendance.

A standing room-only crowd of about 600 attended the Mass Sunday, including many who were baptized or married at the church.

Bishop Dale Melczek said the church was a victim of changing demographics. Only about 130 families remained at the church, down from 900 at its peak.

Blessed Sacrament opened in 1947 and moved to a new building in 1960. The church’s classrooms are now being used by a charter school.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary said St. Mary Church in Hammond is scheduled to close May 31 and St. John Cantius Church in East Chicago is to close June 21.