BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Members of three Lutheran congregations in Bethlehem met Sunday St. John’s Windish on the city's Southside to hear from leaders of the churches’ governing committees about the impending sale of their churches to Lehigh University.
- As three Lutheran churches in Bethlehem merge, they are selling their real estate in a package deal
- An impending vote on whether to sell to Lehigh University was called off after the Bethlehem Parking Authority said it intend to seize St. John's parking lot through eminent domain
- Church leaders said Bethlehem officials never expressed interest in countering Lehigh's bid
According to city officials, Lehigh University submitted a $3.7 million bid to purchase St. John’s Windish, St. Peter’s and Light of Christ Lutheran churches, plus St. John’s more-than-1-acre parking lot in a package deal. A real estate agent representing the churches, Lucy Lennon, disputes this figure, but did not disclose another.
The city offered a $3.5 million bid for the properties, which was rejected.
Ken Remaly, council president at St. John’s Windish, pushed back on city officials’ recent claims that they expected to negotiate a counteroffer, saying that despite the city’s professed willingness to make a higher bid, they never communicated such willingness to the churches.
“Our realtor was instructed to go to the City of Bethlehem and tell anyone and everyone who wants to make an offer to put your best offer forward,” said Joe Bleier, who represents St. Paul’s on the “Unity Team” overseeing the merger.
Remaly also said the decision to reject the city’s offer had more to do with its terms than the dollar amount.
Vote Postponed
Sunday’s meeting was originally scheduled to allow congregation members to vote on whether to accept Lehigh University’s offer to buy the three churches.
The plan for the vote was derailed by a letter from the Bethlehem Parking Authority, which church leaders say declared the authority’s intention to take ownership of the parking lot of St. John’s Windish.
The authority, established by state law as independent from city government, is vested with the ability to seize property for parking through eminent domain, and can take control of private property by filing in court to condemn it.
The seized land is limited to use for parking, and the churches would be paid “just compensation,” as ultimately determined by the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, under the Pennsylvania law.
“This parking lot plays a very vital role in our parking ecosystem. The BPA has leased this parking lot for almost twenty years,” Bethlehem Parking Authority Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said in a statement.
“We're going to continue to do our job, which is to manage this fragile parking system, especially for the residents and stakeholders that are in our most dense urban neighborhoods,” Fernstrom wrote.
At Sunday’s meeting, Remaly said the Unity Team has developed a communication plan and a response plan, which they will activate “as a preemptive measure” if leaders of each church council agree.
“As far as what we can do from this point on,” said Remaly, “we obviously have to decide, how can we move forward? What are our options? How do we defend ourselves against the city, against eminent domain?”
“We're not troublemakers. We would hope we can negotiate a reasonable result to our situation.”
Community concern
At the meeting church members and local residents raised questions and concerns about the proposed sale.
"This church has played an essential role in in my life in a small way, I suppose. It has for so many of our Southside residents," said Anna Smith, director of Community Action Development Bethlehem.
In an emotional plea, City Councilwoman Rachel Leon spoke of St John’s personal significance to her, and urged the congregation to consider its legacy.
“I feel like we're kind of stuck in this together – stuck between (Lehigh University and the City of Bethlehem), two giants conducting a business deal," Leon said. "But between these two powerhouses, there is a congregation and a community.”
“Please note that the concerns of the community in the city of Bethlehem Southside do not fall on deaf ears,” said Remaly. “We know we have a responsibility. We have a responsibility to the community. We have a full responsibility to three congregations trying to move forward.”
“We are not money grabbers. We want to be sure that the decision that we make and offer to our congregations to approve will be the best and right offer and situation at that time.”
“Following a star”
Sunday’s sermon at St. John's marked Epiphany, a celebration of the night three wise men visited faraway Bethlehem.
Two pastors recalled for the congregation the story of the Magi: Three Wise Men bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh who paid homage to newborn Jesus, guided by visions and a star.
Their journey - which was long, at times treacherous, and only possible because the three men trusted they were part of a larger plan – was a situation not unlike the churches’ merger, the pastors argued.
“We’re following a star,” said Rev. Mike Button.
“This vision – this journey – it’s been hard,” Rev. Susanne Trump said. “God is giving us a vision wider than ourselves.” She urged the congregation to “see instead of threats, possibilities; instead of opposition, challenges” that will ultimately make the combined church and its members stronger.
Above all, they counseled faith.
