After the news that one Indian Orchard Roman Catholic church will not shut down, at least for now, several others slated to be closed by the Springfield Diocese decided to wage the same campaign to stay open.

Signs posted on the doors greet parishioners of Saint Patrick's Church in Chicopee. Hand-scrawled pleas are taped to the doors they want to keep from closing for good.

"We are trying to come together and appeal to the bishop because we think he represents our best hope and that's what's most important to us," said Kevin Leahy, supporter of St. Patrick's.

Hope may be dimming. With less than four weeks before the Springfield Diocese shuts down 19 churches, Saint Patrick's, Assumption, and St. George's are all making independent appeals to keep the lights shining.

In the August announcement, Chicopee was hit hard. Five city churches will be closed.

"Population in the city has been relatively stable from the statistics I've seen in the course of the last 15-20 years, so closing five seems more than what would be necessary," Leahy said.

Hopes were bolstered last weekend when fellow parish, Immaculate Conception, received an extension through the summer. However, the parishioners at the Indian Orchard church got right to work. This group admits they have a tough road ahead.

"We don't have a game plan, but what we do have is faith," Leahy said.

Each church is required to submit their own appeal.