SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Leaves are changing, and so is the place of worship for some Christians in Syracuse.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church held its final mass on Saturday.

At one point, more than 500 families attended the church, which also had a school.

Over the years, there have been thousands of baptisms performed. However, attendance has dropped and the church is for sale.

But there is "hope": they'll be merging with Saint James Roman Catholic Church to create "Our Lady of Hope" Church.

"We always have hope, especially in our Christian faith," said Father Christopher Ballard, the pastor of both churches, and the soon to be Our Lady of Hope Church. "It always gives us hope so we believe that something good can come, even out of difficult situations, out of obstacles, even out of death we believe that life can come."

Our Lady of Hope Church will hold its first mass on October 14 at 4 p.m.

Pieces of Our Lady of Lourdes, including the altar and statues, will be removed and installed in the new church.