Several Mt. Airy Catholic parishes that were on the chopping block in 2012 will remain open at least through part of 2013, according to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Archdiocese announced Sunday that Holy Cross, St. Madeline Sophie and St. Therese of the Child Jesus won't be closed or merged with others in 2012. There had been a chance that could happen.

The body said the three church will be studied further throughout 2012 "with a final decision expected by the spring of 2013."

A letter sent from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to parishes throughout the northwest section of the city in late 2011 recommended that St. Therese and St. Madeline Sophie be closed or restructured by July.

St. Madeline Sophie parishioners would have attended regular Mass at Holy Cross Church nearby, and St. Therese parishioners would have gone to Holy Cross or to St. Raymond of Penafort (1350 Vernon Rd.) on Sunday mornings.

But things are remaining as they now are for at least the next year.

This also means the St. Therese building will have a tenant for next year. Its other current tenant, AMY Northwest Middle School, is moving to Roxborough next school year.