PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The city of Port Arthur will be missing a piece of history within a few weeks.
St. Mary Hospital will be closing after serving Port Arthur since 1930.
Many people have expressed sadness after hearing the news, including one man who grew up blocks away from the health care facility.
"Got good memories of this hospital," said George Adams, who lived blocks away.
George Adams' life began in this hospital 64 years ago.
He said he's been going to St. Mary ever since.
"The staff and the service was great. Great nurses, great doctors over the many years," said Adams. "Everyone was just super nice and professional every time we came here."
CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System announced Monday it will close St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur on July 18.
The facility has seen a decreasing demand for inpatient care, leading officials to make the tough decision.
98 percent of the care provided at the hospital was on an outpatient basis, according to Ryan Miller.
Paul Trevino, President and CEO of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System, tells 12News the decision to shut its doors didn't come easy.
"Going through that process was difficult because of our love for St. Mary, the history and all the good work that's been done here," said Trevino. "Yet, the change needed to occur."
St. Mary Hospital will remain open for the next 45 days.
Roughly 150 jobs will be impacted once it's closed on July 18.
CHRISTUS says they only have about 70-75 openings right now.
Staff will be able to apply for those open positions within the CHRISTUS Health System or transfer to a different CHRISTUS location within Texas.
"Our average tenure in staff is about 16 years, it ranges from a year to 40 years," said Ryan Miller, President of Ambulatory Services and St. Mary Hospital. "They're here because they care, because they care to care for their neighbors and I think that's the legacy that will be remembered, I'll remember that."
The Emergency Outpatient Center opened in Mid-County, in 2017, to meet the needs of the people in Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland and Port Neches.
It will be renamed after St. Mary to honor the 89 years the hospital served the people of Port Arthur.
"It's been here my whole life," said Adams. "A lot of people in the community is going to miss this place."
CHRISTUS says once the facility is closed, the plan is to demolish the building which could take up to 18 months.
The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System Maternity and Women's Center, CHRISTUS Center for Health Management Clinic, and Community Health Worker Services will be relocated elsewhere in Port Arthur.
Emergency and physical therapy services will be available at the Emergency Outpatient Center in Mid-County, located along Highway 365 near 9th Street.