Parishioners filled St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in the Town of Tonawanda, USA , to capacity for its final mass on Sunday morning, marking the end of 80 years of worship.

Sister Nancy Charlesworth reflected on the significance of the day to 7ABC Buffalo, stating: "I could not miss this day. It was the foundation of how I grew up to be who I am today."

The closure of St. Andrew's is part of a larger initiative by the Diocese of Buffalo, which plans to shut down nearly 90 buildings, including St. Andrew's Country Day School.

"It's bittersweet. I'm really grateful to be here for the last mass. I'm sad that it won't be here for others to enjoy,"  parishioner Tricia Potenza shared with the news outlet.

With every pew occupied and many standing, both current and former members gathered one last time for the 11am service. "My parents were founding members. I went to school here...it's a sad day," remarked Tim Courtney.

The congregation will now merge with St. Timothy's Church, located just over a mile away.

Pat Dewey stated, "We've got to be strong right now and I think we're going to make it... We just have to keep this church going and we have to be strong."

During the closing ceremony, sacred items such as a cross, relics of a saint, oils, and church records were ceremoniously transferred to their new home at St. Timothy's.

Father Michael Parker saw this moment as an opportunity for renewal: "We are like Saint Andrew, we're evangelisers... So we have to be proud and thankful for what has happened in the past and yet ready to fulfill the call that God gives us as we go forward."

The closure is part of a significant reorganisation within the Diocese of Buffalo, with about one-third of its churches expected to close and merge in this wave of consolidations.