An appeal of a in Crescent Beach has been rejected.

But while the decision out of the Vatican last month caused 鈥渟hock and extreme disappointment throughout the (Star of the Sea) parish,鈥� those behind efforts to keep the heritage site intact and operational say the fight is not over yet.

鈥淲e were surprised and not surprised,鈥� said Jim Garnett, a longtime parishioner. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always different levels of authority. Now, we鈥檙e appealing this.鈥�

Garnett is involved in Save Star of the Sea, a group that in a bid to save that church 鈥� located in White Rock鈥檚 Five Corners district 鈥� from development plans. They added preserving Holy Cross Church to their efforts when news of its planned closure came to light.

The , directed to the Archbishop of Vancouver, launched in December; the second was forwarded to the Vatican the following month. Word that it had been rejected arrived April 18.

Garnett said this latest appeal, to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura 鈥� described as the highest level of appeal within the Catholic Church, next to the Pope 鈥� is underway.

It鈥檚 expected to cost upwards of $25,000, but Garnett said no fundraising is planned.

鈥淨uite a number of parishioners have stepped forward with donations to help out with the cost of this,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat speaks to the seriousness of parishioners.鈥�

The appellants were given 60 days to submit the appeal; Garnett said it could be 12 to 18 months before it is heard.

鈥淚n the meantime, at least it鈥檚 not being sold,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e still holding weekly services. That鈥檚 a good thing.鈥�