Three Catholic parishes in Portage County will merge this upcoming summer as part of a broader restructuring effort by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

Starting July 1st, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kent, Immaculate Conception Parish in Ravenna and the University Parish Newman Center at Kent State University will combine into a single parish.

Diocese leaders said the change is part of a long-term reorganization plan that began in 2019.

The restructuring is driven by declining population, lower Mass attendance and a shortage of priests. John Zura, a vicar general for the diocese, said 45 priests are currently serving 68 parishes across the six-county diocese.

Local church leaders assured that the merger will not result in any church closures.

“We are consolidating parishes, we’re not closing church buildings,” said Rev. William Kraynak, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. “All the church buildings right now in our consolidation are remaining open.”

Instead, the change reflects a shift in how parishes are organized, bringing multiple congregations together under a shared leadership. Kraynak said population shifts and fewer men entering the priesthood have contributed to the need for consolidation.

Kraynak, who is retiring in July, also said that parishioners have responded positively to the transition.

“They have really accepted it, and I believe that they will continue to work with it,” he said.

Church leaders said the goal of the merger is to create stronger, more sustainable parish communities as participation and clergy numbers continue to decline.

Lex Radde is a reporter for Kent Stater TV. Contact her at [email protected].