The white plaster on the church walls covering up last year’s chipping lead paint could be compared to the next few weeks of masses at St. Ann University Parish on St. Stephen Street – each are a temporary fix.

The Roman Catholic parish, which has served as the Northeastern University campus church since 1979, is set to close after its last mass on October 17. Despite its close proximity to campus and the fact that pastor John Unni’s more interactive approach to religion keeps the building full every Sunday, the Archdiocese of Boston has assigned it as one of the 70 Massachusetts churches to be closed this year.

“It’s been exhausting, there are a lot of mixed feelings because we pack out with all the students every night,” said Father John Unni. “It’s a perfect location right in the middle of campus… so I’m sad and I’m frustrated.”

Unni, who has recently taken on duties as pastor of St. Cecilia Church near the Hynes Convention Center, said St. Cecilia will take over as the new location for the campus parish as of Oct. 24.

“I am going to miss Mass at St. Ann’s because it was such a strong community of students that doesn’t exist at St. Cecilia’s,” said Janet Kenny, a sophomore history major. “St. Cecilia’s mostly serves families from the area and students won’t be its primary focus like [they were at] St. Ann’s.”

Kenny also said because the new church is off campus it is going to make it more difficult for students to make it to Mass. However, transportation may be created so students can get to church easier, especially in the winter months, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier.

“I think [having a church on or accessible from campus] is important for our community,” he said. “Hopefully we can come to some sort of a resolution.”

The final Mass events, which will begin at 1 p.m. to better accommodate parishioners of both the morning and evening masses, will feature Mass with live student-performed music, followed by a farewell dinner and later a party with a “jam session” at 4 p.m. in the church basement.

Bryan Wood, a Northeastern alumnus and past president of the campus Catholic group, the Newman Club, has been working with Unni and students in the club to prepare for the final Mass and the transition to St. Cecilia.

“The biggest thing is getting ready for the transition from this community to another,” Wood said. “I was new when I came here as a freshman and I will be new again at St. Cecilia’s.

“I also know it’s about community, not just what’s within these walls, so I am hopeful the community will stay together. It’s all about extending the community to a bigger geographic area.”

Although 69 other churches statewide have received the same mandate to shut their doors from Bishop Sean O’Malley, St. Ann’s is the only one which functions as a university parish.

“We’re very disappointed the Archdiocese decided to close it because it’s the only church serving primarily college-age parishioners on the closing list,” Klotzbier said.

Service continues at St. Ignatius Parish at Boston College, the Marsh Chapel at Boston University and at St. Paul’s Parish, which is attended by Harvard University and Lesley College students. But for students at Northeastern, Simmons College, Massachusetts College of Art and other area schools who have been attending St. Ann, alternatives will have to be sought.

The question being asked now is what will happen to the actual church building and property. Vice President for Administration and Finance Larry Mucciolo said there are no current plans in place to purchase the property but what will happen remains to be seen.

“We are, of course, interested in what happens to St. Ann’s given its location and the role it plays for our students,” he said. “If and when the property is actually put on the market we would consider our options. One option for the foreseeable future would be to continue having religious services and perhaps other student activities [at St. Ann].”

Regardless of whether or not St. Ann reopens its doors again as a church or campus chapel, the university will do what it can to allow its students to worship, whatever religion they may follow, Klotzbier said.

“We’re seeing more and more students looking for a place to worship and we want to be able to provide that for them,” he said. “Last year when [St. Ann] had the lead paint issue we immediately located a spot on campus for [Unni] to serve his Mass.”

The St. Ann church building was shut down for several weeks last year as a result of lead paint concerns, but reopened this summer after some minor renovations.

Klotzbier said the university has a strong relationship with Unni and that it will do what it can to make the closing process as smooth as possible. Unni expressed the same intentions.

“Through all this, the university has been great to help us to make sure we have a place to worship,” he said.