Warren Catholic Parishes Set To Merge In July

WARREN, RI — Two Catholic churches in Warren — St. Alexander Parish and St. Mary of the Bay Parish, will merge on July 7, according to the Diocese of Providence.

"I am grateful for the priests and people who, since 1915, have made St. Alexander’s Parish a place of encounter with Jesus Christ," Bishop Richard Henning, who approved the merger, said. "I am also grateful for Father Upton and the parishioners who provided needed consultation on the plan to continue that sacred mission even in the midst of change."

Diocese officials said the merger was proposed because of a decline in church activities at the St. Alexander Parish. From 2016 to 2022, diocese officials said there were just three baptisms, eight first communion students, 17 confirmation candidates, and three weddings at St. Alexander.

"The people of St. Alexander and St. Mary of the Bay are grateful to Bishop Henning for granting our request for a formal canonical merger," Rev. Joseph Upton, a pastor at St. Mary of the Bay and administrator at St. Alexander, said. "We are eager to work together as a combined community of faith with shared resources in fulfilling our mission in Warren and beyond."

Diocese officials said all sacramental records containing information regarding baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, marriage, and deaths, will be transferred from St. Alexander Parish to the office of St. Mary of the Bay Parish on Main Street.

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