Catholic Diocese of Youngstown announces merger of 2 churches, closure of another

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown on Sunday announced that two churches will merge and another will close.

The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, accepted the recommendation of the Rev. Michael Mikstay and parishioners to merge Our Lady of Victory Parish in Andover and St. Patrick Parish in Kinsman, a news release states.

The new parish will include both church buildings, which will retain their names. Bonnar asked parishioners to recommend a new name for the parish, reflecting “one parish community with a shared mission,” the release states.

Bonnar also accepted the recommendation of the Rev. Frantisek Katrinak to close St. Joseph Church in Warren.