MADISON, Wis. -- Parishioners at St. William's, a Catholic church in Paoli, hope a spirit of faith stays in their beloved church.

From now on, they won't be in the pews on Sunday mornings because their church has to close and merge with another due to a priest shortage.

The priest shortage that's causing the merger has hit other parishes in the Madison diocese as well. Currently there are 132 parishes and only 85 priests to serve them, WISC-TV reported.

"It's been a very emotional time for us down here, especially when I first heard about the church being closed," said parishioner Barb Palmer. "I cried and thought about it again today in church, and feel like crying again."

Palmer's great-grandparents helped found the parish in 1869 by donating part of their farmland to the church.

The church has become part of the family Palmer told WISC-TV.

"I was married here, and eight of my children were baptized here," said Palmer. "Two of them have passed away and their funerals were here."

The original brick church building was built in 1900 and suffered fire damage in 1925. It was rebuilt and remodeled several times after, but the original stained glass windows remain, WISC-TV reported.

But, because of a priest shortage, the parish must merge with St. Andrew's of Verona.

"Technically the church really isn't closing. It's just seeing a new role for itself in our community," said Rev. David Timmerman, pastor of both churches.

For the past five years, Timmerman has conducted four Masses on Sundays, plus baptisms, weddings and funerals at both church locations. He said the merger will make his time more efficient.

St. William's will hold a weekly Mass on Monday evenings, as well as on special occasions for the next few years.

But, past that, the future's still uncertain for the church.

Palmer told WISC-TV that she wonders what the future will hold for her church.

"It's what really bothers me the most, because I feel it's very beautiful, especially the windows are beautiful," said Palmer.

On the final Sunday of Masses for the closing church, Timmerman gave the message of hope to his followers, reminding them that "faith makes our fears manageable, and eventually non-existent," WISC-TV reported.

"We don't like to see the church go in this direction, but I think we're just holding each other in faith, and helping each other out, and I think it's going to be ok," said Timmerman.

He said the church may be beautiful, but the true beauty lies within the hearts of the faithful who gather there.

As for the parishioners of St. William's, Timmerman expects half of the church's 42 families to go to St. Andrew's and the others to choose parishes in nearby Monroe and New Glarus.