1/12/2026
Newswatch 16's Valeria Quiñones takes us to St. Adalbert's church for its final mass.
Author: Valeria Quiñones

GLEN LYON, Pa. — Inside of st. Adalbert's Church on South Market Street in Glen Lyon: The choir sings to the Holy Spirit parish for one last time. The last roman catholic church in Newport Township will close its doors for good, and a 137-year legacy will come to an end.
"It was the sacrifices of poorly paid, hardworking coalminers that made possible this beautiful church," says retired reverend James McGahagan. He came back to the church for this final mass. 
He reminisced on the generations of people who worshiped here, a faith they will take with them elsewhere. 
"The faith of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, lives on in each of us," says McGahagan. 
In a letter from bishop Joseph Bambara, he says that as local demographics changed and church attendance declined, the decision to close the doors of St. Adalbert's Church came in the face of significant financial challenges as a result. 
A stark difference is seen from the usual turnout to the one for this final mass, where every pew is filled.
McGahagan says, "With heavy hearts, we think back to when there were 3 parishes flourishing in town, and today are saddened at the loss of the last of them."
What is left of Holy Spirit Parish's parishioners will be taken up by St. Faustina Parish in Nanticoke and Our lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Lake Silkworth.