Parishioners at St. Henry’s Catholic Church will hold 30 hours of continuous adoration, starting with Saturday morning mass. It’s part of an effort to save the church from closing for good.

“Closing churches is almost like a surrender,” parishioner Joseph Harper said. “It’s leaving a neighborhood on their own.”

That’s exactly what many fear will happen to St. Henry Catholic Church – a neighborhood parish that has served generations for 152 years. But now, its doors could be closed by the Archdiocese.

A Wednesday night sermon in the streets drew nearly 100 people, each of them listening intently.

Leo Doyle’s mother passed away in February. At 98, she was one of the oldest members of the parish.

The family is hoping she can make an impact one last time.

“She was all wrapped up in this church,” Leo Doyle said. “That’s why we thought we should bring her picture at least, so she could attend. If she wasn’t dead already, she’d die to see what’s going on with her church.”

It’s a congregation that vows to fight back and stand strong and prays their show of support can sway those in authority to let them continue to serve young and old for generations to come.

“Feels like it’s our home,” said Irma Hecker, who with her husband Charles, has been a member of the church for more than 60 years. “It’s like a neighborhood. It’s like a big family.”

Parishioners won’t know for sure what churches will close or merge until the pastoral plan is released April 9.