The former Mater Dolorosa Church property, 1676 Ruan St. in Frankford, was sold to Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ).
The Rev. Thomas Higgins, pastor at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, has announced the sale of the former Mater Dolorosa Church property, 1676 Ruan St. in Frankford.
The church and rectory were sold to Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), an international church that originated in the Philippines. Iglesia ni Cristo is expected to use the church for worship services. As for the rectory, Notre Dame Mission Volunteers has a lease through August 2018. The transaction also included the rectory parking lot and the lot on Orchard Street, across from the rectory.
The sale price was $450,000. The money will be used, primarily, to pay parish operating expenses and close the annual operating deficit.
Mater Dolorosa closed in 2013 due to dwindling Mass attendance and a decline in the number of baptisms and marriages, though it was available as a worship site upon request until September 2016.
In 2013, the parish was merged into Holy Innocents, in Juniata. All of Mater Dolorosa’s real estate holdings, assets and debts were transferred to Holy Innocents.
Mater Dolorosa School closed in 2003. ••
