A group of parishioners from a Cape May County parish is fighting to keep a church that is scheduled to be demolished. The group says they were promised that the church would not be taken down, but a recent announcement from the Diocese of Camden says otherwise.

Parishioners say the priest at St. Joseph’s Church and diocese say the “old church” is too costly to repair and maintain. An addition added less than 10 years ago to the Sea Isle property is where Mass now takes place.

"St. Joseph’s parish does not use nor need to use the former church for divine worship because the facility of the newer St. Joseph Church, located on the same campus, is adequate and accessible to all parishioners,” according to a decree of relegation from the bishop of the Diocese of Camden.

The Save St. Joseph’s group says they have had multiple people offer their services to help fix the old church, but were told by church leaders that it wasn't an option.

With more than 3,000 signatures on an online petition, the group says they are not giving up just yet.

News 12 reached out to the pastor of St. Joseph's for comment but did not hear back.