Mary, Mother of the Church

Mary, Mother of the Church was established on November 1, 1992, as part of the diocese's reorganization and revitalization project.  The parish was formed by the merger of the three parishes in Charleroi: Ss. Cyril and Methodius, St. Jerome and Mother of Sorrows.  At first all three churches remained open.  On May 6, 1994, a fire seriously damaged St. Jerome Church.  The building was saved, however, and later repaired.  In 1995, the parish started a year long study of the feasibility of maintaining three church buildings.  The study determined that the parish should only use one church for reasons of economy, convenience and parish unity.  On May 27, 1996, Ss. Cyril and Methodius and Mother of Sorrows Churches closed.  St. Jerome Church remains open and serves the new parish.