A big change is coming to Oswego's Catholic community.

Next year, only one parish will serve the entire city.

Currently there are five catholic churches in Oswego. Four will consolidate in the first phase, with the remaining church transitioning at a later time. 

A committee has been formed to decide where the new parish will be located.

Priests say a decline in active members forced the change. 

"The population of Oswego has gone down," said St. Mary's Church Pastor John F. Hogan Jr. "The number of catholics who live here have gone down. We live in an age where a number of people say they're spiritual but they're not necessarily a member of organized religion." 

A vote will decide the name of the new parish.