Saint Hedwig Church (Chester), will no longer serve as a worship site of Sacred Heart Parish (Clifton Heights) and will close as a Roman Catholic church.
Contextual Background
In July 1993, Saint Hedwig Parish was suppressed; subsequently, its church was designated a worship site of Sacred Heart Parish (Clifton Heights), since both were founded to serve Polish Catholics. Since that time, those who worship at Saint Hedwig Church have received pastoral care from the clergy of Sacred Heart.
Today’s Announcement
Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has approved the relegation of the Saint Hedwig church building to profane but not sordid use effective January 1, 2026.
This formal, canonical designation means that the building will close and no longer be designated as a Roman Catholic church.
This information was shared with parishioners at all Masses during the course of this weekend at Sacred Heart Parish. A copy of the official canonical decree regarding the relegation can be found here: https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2025/11/Hedwig-White.pdf
Further Information Regarding Today’s Announcement
The formal request to close a place of worship typically originates from the pastor of the parish, together with his parish pastoral and finance councils after joint study and consultation. The request is then reviewed by the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and presented to Archbishop Pérez, who, after a careful review of all supporting factors, makes the final decision. Saint Hedwig Church Building (Chester)
For many years, the faithful attending Saint Hedwig Church received pastoral care from the clergy of Sacred Heart Parish. In 2016, Sacred Heart Parish was “partnered” with its neighboring territorial parish, Saint Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill. These added duties have made it difficult for the clergy of Sacred Heart to continue providing pastoral care to the people of Saint Hedwig’s.
In August of 2023 the boiler of Saint Hedwig Church failed, and replacement costs were estimated at $60,000. In October of that year, after having spoken to the congregants at Saint Hedwig regarding the dire financial situation facing their church, the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish petitioned for the relegation of the Church of Saint Hedwig to profane but not sordid use. Regular Sunday worship at Saint Hedwig Church has been suspended since December 31, 2023.
Following archdiocesan policy, the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish provided further information and documentation regarding Sacred Heart Parish and Saint Hedwig Church in June 2025. It included a letter in support of the petition signed by the members of the finance and pastoral councils of Sacred Heart Parish, copies of announcements made to the faithful of Saint Hedwig’s and Sacred Heart regarding the petition, financial reports on both the church and the parish, and a number of invoices and proposals submitted to Sacred Heart Parish regarding needed repairs to Saint Hedwig Church.
Other factors compound the challenge of providing adequate pastoral care, including financial considerations. While those worshipping at Saint Hedwig’s had been contributing generously for the upkeep of their church, their donations proved insufficient for the church’s ongoing maintenance needs. Multiple repairs have been financed by Sacred Heart Parish, which itself faced an operating deficit in 2024.
While the sale of property adjacent to Saint Hedwig Church in January 2025 provided additional capital to Sacred Heart, this money will be needed to help offset the regular deficits that accrue in financing parish operations.
Saint Hedwig’s is situated within the territory served by Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester, and is surrounded by a number of nearby parishes including Saint Thomas the Apostle in Glen Mills and Saint Joseph in Aston, where many former congregants from Saint Hedwig’s currently worship.
The future disposition of the Saint Hedwig church building will be determined by the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in consultation with the parish pastoral and finance councils in accord with relevant Church law and Archdiocesan policies, and in a manner consistent with providing for continued parish viability and sustainability.
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Catholic Church of Philadelphia
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Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)