Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Church pins hopes on saint

Archbishop Raymond Burke has said that Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Catholic Church is closing at the end of June. Its people will merge with the congregation of St. Margaret of Scotland. The churches are about a mile from one another; both are north of Tower Grove Park.

But Immaculate Conception/St. Henry's pastor and some of its people are taking the issue to a higher power: They are praying to St. Rita of Cascia, patroness of the impossible, that their church and outreach center be allowed to stay open. The church is at 3120 Lafayette Avenue, and the outreach center is at 3135 Lafayette Avenue, between Grand Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.

[Fr.] Gavin and his parishioners have postponed making plans for a closing ceremony. They are too busy planning a celebration for St. Rita, on her feast day, May 22.

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