Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church saw its last Mass on Saturday, September 17th. The parish had been merged into Holy Innocents in Juniata Park in 2013. The church had had been used as a worship site with use for special occasions since then. It was determined that the cost of maintaining the building was not justified and a decree was issued to desanctify the church, which will now allow it to be sold.
A large crowd of former parishioners from all over the area as well as those from other churches crowded in Mater Dolorosa for the last time. The Mass was celebrated by former pastor John Large.
It was ironic that as the people left the church for the last time, Pastor Edward Franklin of the Power Through the Word Ministries greeted them on the sidewalk entrance to the former Mater Dolorosa School. The ministry purchased the former school building and has turned it into a worship site for their congregation which is new to Frankford.
Rev. Franklin greets former Mater Dolorsa parishioners.
He opened the building to give the Mater Dolorosa parishioners the opportunity to see the school building again which many of them had attended.
So as one church leaves Frankford, another comes in to serve.
