By CatholicPhilly Staff Report • Posted June 9, 2026

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced that Immaculate Conception Church in Marcus Hook, Delaware County, has been formally relegated to profane but not sordid use effective July 19, 2026. The decision, approved by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, means the church will close and no longer function as a Roman Catholic church.

Immaculate Conception, founded as a personal parish for Italian Catholics in Delaware County in 1917, and Holy Saviour Parish in Linwood, merged with St. John Fisher Parish in Boothwyn in 2013.

Both of the merged parishes were designated as worship sites of St. John Fisher Parish at that time. Significant elements of both worship sites were incorporated at St. John Fisher Church to foster a strong sense of unity among the faithful of the region at the main parish church.

Holy Saviour Church was closed as a worship site in 2015 and later sold.

Immaculate Conception Church, located only three miles from St. John Fisher Church, experienced a sharp decline in sacramental activity in recent years.

At the same time, maintenance costs totaling some $300,000 for significant repairs over the past 13 years, as well as a needed roof repair, continue to place a strain on St. John Fisher Parish’s finances.

The formal request to close a place of worship typically originates from the pastor of the parish, together with his parish pastoral and finance councils after joint study and consultation. The request is then reviewed by the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and presented to Archbishop Pérez, who makes the final decision.

Parishioners were informed of the decision at Masses last weekend. The future of the St. Hedwig building will be determined by Sacred Heart Parish leadership in consultation with pastoral and finance councils, in line with Church law and archdiocesan policy.

A copy of the official canonical decree regarding the relegation can be found here.