Warren church closing its doors

WARREN, R.I. (WPRI) - St. Mark's Church in Warren is closing its doors, after giving parishioners a place to pray for 180 years.

The parish will hold its last mass in May 2nd.

The Episcopal Dioscese of RI says it's had financial problems for the last six years. On a typical Sunday, only about 30 people fill the pews.

In addition to a shrinking congregation, the church's endowment has also decreased. They couldn't even afford a full time priest.

The congregation was given the option to merge with another church or close. They decided to close.

Church officials issued this statement, "it's a very sad thing that we are closing. The church has been here for more than 180 years. We're a small family and now we're being broken up, it's tough."