WEST ALLIS, Wis (CBS 58) -- It was an emotional day for many in West Allis as St. Rita Church held its final mass Sunday morning, Nov. 23. 

"I went to church here, got married here, my grandkids got baptized here," said Debbie McKay, St. Rita Catholic School class of '63. "I walked here with tears in my eyes just going they just can't tear this down."

More than 1,300 people packed the pews for prayer, worship and to say goodbye to the place they say, so many memories were created.

"So many memories, this church holds so much inside of it you can't get rid of it," said Cathy Takala, St. Rita Catholic School class of '63.

In July of last year, St. Rita, Holy Assumption and St. Augustine on the east side of West Allis merged as St. Barnabas.

"Not everyone was happy with this decision, but I think it's the only way for us to move forward with hope," said Pastor Gerardo Carcar of St. Barnabas.

With church attendance down around the country, St. Barnabas officials say the cost to maintain St. Rita is too high for its small congregation.

"We could house at this facility at St. Rita's we can hold a thousand people we have attendance of about 350 people across four masses. So, it's very underutilized property," said St. Barnabas Director of Administrative Services David Grunwaldt.

A tough reality for Sunday regulars.

"When I walked in today, I was overwhelmed and it brought tears to my eyes. Back in the 70s these churches used to be pretty packed on a Sunday people would dress us people were proud of the congregation now there's more empty pews than full pews," said Jeffrey Logan, St. Rita School class of '73.

As the church prepares to close, many are concerned for the future of the building.

"As we have looked at selling any of the properties, we have been very, very intentional to not work with any developers. Developers tear down buildings. With us we look at owner operators like school or churches that might want to buy it and right now the offer that we have accepted is with a school that wants to expand," Grunwaldt explained.

While the future of the building remains unknown, for many, the memories created inside the church won't be forgotten.