SANFORD — On Saturday, St. Ignatius, Martyr opened its doors for Mass for the last time.

The closing was part of what Bishop Richard Malone called “a sad necessity.”

The church, located on St. Ignatius Street off Main Street, was dedicated in 1928 and is also the site of a former parochial school.

Due to high heating costs in the winter, the church had closed down seasonally in 2008, and since then has been open from May to October. Churchgoers have been transitioning since then, going to the two other churches in the parish, Holy Family and Notre Dame, during the winter.

In 2007, a developer approached the parish with an interest in buying the building, but a deal never materialized. More recently, the decision was made to put the property on the market.

Malone said that of those practicing Catholics in Maine, only 30 percent are actively involved in church.

“You and I, as faithful Catholics, are a minority group here in Maine,” said Malone.

During his sermon, Bishop Malone gave churchgoers a brief history of the church and Catholicism in the area, noting some of the changes.

In the late 1800s, parishioners met in private homes and priests traveled by train to serve the area. Later, the area was assigned priests, but the number of priests fluctuated to meet the needs of the population.

“Change has always been part of the church,” all over the world, said Malone. “”¦ Sometimes we need to do things differently, so that we can work toward a rebirth.”

The church’s purpose is evangalization and the church needs to keep a strong Catholic community, he said.

“That’s why things have been shifting, so we can do a better job and become more united,” said Malone.

Malone called the time “a graced moment” where churchgoers could remember all the events that had happened at the church over the years.

Parishioner Paul Auger described the final Mass as “bittersweet.” Although the church was closing, they were also celebrating its history, he said.

“I think the Bishop said it really well, this is just another change,” he said. “We were good stewards, our ancestors would be proud.”

He and his father Gilles Auger had compiled a history of the church, which they were presenting at a banquet after the service. Both father and son said that although the church would be no longer, the people and the faith would remain.

“It’s a physical thing that’s different,” said Gilles Auger.

Irene Single has attended the church much of her life and went to school at the church for seven years before it closed.

“It’s been part of my life right from day one,” she said.

Looking around the church, she remembered weddings and funerals she attended over the years. She said she’ll miss the warm atmosphere and the beautiful stained glass.

“It’s sad it had to be let go,” she said, of the church.

Parishioner Jean Pease, who along with her husband, Frank, is a lector at the church and has been involved in several committees, also lamented the loss.

“The memories ”¦ Where do I start?” she said. “I was confirmed, baptized, everything.”

Pease graduated from the church’s high school in 1962 and recalls the glee club, the May Queen Banquet, theater productions, and “a great basketball team.” She also recalled Christmas parties and New Year’s parties at the church.

Over the years, she said she and her husband have been very involved and met many people.

“It’s like a family,” she said.

Pease said she understood the financial reasoning for the church to close, but while attending the last Mass, she remembered all the weddings, funeral Masses and other events she attended over the years.

“All the memories were there,” she said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.