Warwick church holds final mass

By: News Staff

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WARWICK, R.I. — It was a bittersweet Easter for parishioners at St. Williams Church in Warwick as they hosted their final mass before closing their doors.

Declining attendance and increasing debt forced the church to shut down after more than 80 years. Bishop Tobin ultimately made the final call.

The diocese announced the closure last month.

Sunday’s mass was a full house as parishioners came to say their final goodbyes.

“I came to church today because I wanted to spend the last day with my pappa and nanna and because I love this church and it’s just sad to see it be taken down,” said Delany of Warwick.

“It’s sad because I grew up in this parish, and it’s just a sad event,” said Exeter resident, Judi Quinlin.

According to the diocese’s newspaper, only two weddings were held at the church between 2013 and 2016.

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