As additional urban renewal squeezed parish boundaries even further, the Great Depression caused even greater restriction of funds available for the parish. Numbers of parishioners and children in the school continued to dwindle. Yet, Rev. Nolan did not incur any new debt, and he continued to pay off existing debt. In addition, he encouraged parish organizations (e.g., the Holy Name Society and the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality) to continue their work, despite fewer members.