By AP/KWMU
Alton, Ill. – The Springfield, Ill. diocese will close St. Matthew Church in Alton in two months.
The diocese cites fewer priests and declining attendance as factors.
Some parishioners, though, say they're not surprised. They suspected the 50-year old church might close after its school was closed a few years ago.
One long-time parishioner, Dottie Hanlon, says the loss of the church will be akin to the loss of a friend. Some former parishioners have already begun to attend St. Mary's, another Catholic church in Alton.