July Brings Local Church Mergers

In what’s become a sign of the times, catholic churches in another area town have merged.

As of Monday, Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony’s and Sts. Peter and Paul churches merged into a new Parish called Nativity of Our Lord in Spring Valley.  The Diocese of Peoria says the merger comes after two years of planning.

Father Robert Spilman will be founding pastor of the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lord.  He’s been pastor at St. Anthony’s since 2004.

The diocese says none of the existing catholic churches in Spring Valley will close, but there will be a primary location for worship at St. Anthony’s Church.

St. Mary’s in Naplate also merged yesterday with St. Francis of Ottawa.