Century-old Catholic church in eastern Pennsylvania to close

    An eastern Pennsylvania church founded more than a century ago to serve Italian immigrants is set to close.

    The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Sunday that SS. Cosmas and Damian Church in Conshohocken will close on March 16.

    Maintenance at SS. Cosmas and Damian Church is estimated at more than $40,000 a year along with more than $35,000 in plumbing, heating and electrical repairs. A bell tower also needs repairs and the church’s vacant rectory requires ongoing maintenance.

    The archdiocese says upkeep of SS. Cosmas and Damian is no longer feasible as a fellow parish needs renovations.

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    An archdiocese spokesman says the church closing is due to changing Catholic population demographics in Montgomery County.

    Officials say the Coptic Orthodox Church is considering buying the facility.

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