The Syracuse Diocese has decided on a site for a multi-parish merger in Oswego.

St. Paul's Church will be the home of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish. Leaders chose St. Paul's because it's near Trinity Catholic School and big enough to hold the congregation.

"The future is very bright,” said Deacon Nick Alvaro, St. Joseph and St. Stephen the King Church. “I think once we do combine and we start being able to do all these things and we find out all the possibilities that it's going to be amazing. I truly believe down the road they're going to look back and say good thing they started it this way."

St. Joseph, St. Stephen the King and St. Mary's will no longer be used for masses after July 1.

Last summer, the Oswego Catholic churches decided to consolidate, saying a decline in active members forced the decision. 

"The population of Oswego has gone down," St. Mary's Church Pastor John F. Hogan Jr. told Spectrum News last year. "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." 

Many in the community are devastated to lose their place of worship.

"I think that St. Mary's is the most beautiful church in Oswego, and it's a shame,” said Valerie Mayor, who has attended St. Mary’s since she was six years old. “A matter of fact one of my friends who is Catholic she started crying she is 80 years old. And she cried when she heard the news, so it's going to be hard"

Residents are worried about losing churches with so many memories, but Christ the Good Shepherd will honor the legacy parishes with decorations and history displays.

Leaders say they know it will be a tough transition, so they are asking for patience.

"It's important to look back with gratitude for all that they've done, and that they have passed the faith to us and now it's our turn,” said Alvaro. “We are then to dedicate and be sacrificial, so that we can share the faith going forward."

Masses at St. Paul's on July 6 and 7 will celebrate the unification.

Diocese officials are still determining future uses for the remaining legacy churches. Until a decision is made, the churches will still hold baptisms, weddings and funerals.