Blessing set for new parish center in Niles

NILES, Ohio (WKBN) – Bishop David Bonnar will bless a new parish center in Niles on Father’s Day.

A Father’s Day Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will precede the parish blessing on Sunday, June 16.

A ribbon cutting and open house will take place at the parish center from noon to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The $3.3 million parish center located at 29 Erie Street is 12,500 square feet and features five class and meeting rooms. It also has a kitchen with pizza ovens, convection ovens, fryers and a walk-in freezer and cooler. The hall seats 250 people.

The parish raised $1.9 million to fund the project.

On July 1, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Stephen parishes will become Saint Pope John XXIII Parish as part of the diocese reconfiguration.

The diocese previously said the merger was based on finances, population shifts within the regions, effective use of building and the number of parishioners and worshippers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.