LEWISTON – For some, Sunday’s Easter Mass could be the last for downtown’s St. Patrick’s Church. For others, hope springs eternal as parishioners look for ways to save their church.

In the distance, the former mills that once so defined Lewiston’s downtown of yesteryear dominated the city’s skyline and view from the steps of the 133-year-old church historically known for serving the city’s Irish immigrants and mill workers at the corner of Bates and Walnut streets.

“I believe that in many parishioners’ hearts, there’s still hope that we can keep our church,” said Pauline Marsh, 71, of Lewiston. “Nobody likes to see a church close.”

Marsh, a member of St. Patrick’s for more than 45 years, joined other parishioners in sending up prayers that Prince of Peace Parish officials will have a change of heart – or that enough money could be raised in the coming months to keep the doors from closing.

Like the now quiet mills in the distance, St. Patrick’s is one of two Lewiston churches that could soon find itself idle following a recent announcement by Monsignor Marc B. Caron that a parish property task force proposed closing and selling St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Church on Main Street.

“Sometimes it’s not always the last thing,” 86-year-old Rose Dirtier, of Lewiston, said in response to Sunday’s Mass potentially being the last Easter celebration held at St. Patrick’s. “We don’t give up.”

Her friend and fellow parishioner, Claire Gagnon, 50, of Lewiston, added that a group is exploring options to present to Prince of Peace Parish officials before a final decision is made in June. The 27-year member of St. Patrick’s said organizers are seeking ideas, and donations, in hope of keeping the church open.

Caron’s announcement two weeks ago that a task force recommended selling two of the city’s five Catholic churches to help lower future costs and balance the budget took parishioners from both churches by surprise. Earlier this year, Caron told parishioners that four of Lewiston’s five churches had operated at a total deficit of about $180,000 last year. Last month, the city’s highest ranking Catholic official said that deficit could swell to $250,000 this year.

“We realize it’s a ‘must do’ thing that’s bound to happen,” said Robert Laroche, 70, a member of St. Joseph’s Church.

Laroche and his wife, Patricia, were among the hundreds who crowded into St. Joseph’s, the city’s oldest Catholic church, for Easter Sunday Mass. The couple have attended the 152-year-old church on Main Street for nearly 18 years.

“We’ve been to both churches. They’re the oldest churches in the city,” Laroche said. “The buildings are old and they need a lot of maintenance.”

Prince of Peace Parish supports five churches: the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, St. Joseph’s, St. Patrick’s, Holy Cross and Holy Family, as well as one elementary school.

In 2007, St. Joseph’s had more than 2,500 parishioners, while St. Patrick’s had about 800.

“There’s a sadness and there’s a hope,” said the Rev. Robert Vaillancourt following Mass at St. Joseph’s. “As painful as it is, because of (Easter), we’re given hope. This building is not our final home. Our final home is in heaven.”