Philadelphia archdiocese announces closure of 2 churches

PHILADELPHIA -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced the closure of two suburban Roman Catholic churches, saying maintenance costs are too steep for the parishes.

The archdiocese released a statement Sunday saying Immaculate Conception BVM Church in Levittown will no longer serve as a worship site for Queen of the Universe Parish and will close.

It also says Saint Gertrude Church in West Conshohocken will shut down and no longer serve as a worship site for Conshohocken's Saint Matthew Parish.

Parishioners were told of the closures during Mass over the weekend.

Both churches merged with their current parishes in 2014, and their pastors sought the closures after reviewing finances.

The release says maintenance costs for both properties are too much for the parishes to manage.