BETHLEHEM, Pa – Leaders of three Lutheran churches in Bethlehem announced that plans to sell their buildings to Lehigh University are back on. The statement came on Saturday at the start of evening services at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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.
- Lutheran leaders in Bethlehem on Saturday announced a new vote on Lehigh University's offer to buy three churches and a parking lot
- St. John's Windish, St. Peter's and Light of Christ Lutheran Churches are merging and selling their real estate as a package deal
- Members of the three churches will vote Feb. 5 on whether to accept Lehigh's offer
Congregants will vote on the sale Sunday, February 5, along with a plan for the churches' final merger, after morning services at St. Peter's. Majorities of each congregation must approve a measure for it to take effect.
Church leaders also acknowledged a recent letter from Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, in which he asked for the opportunity to negotiate a new offer from the city.
Bethlehem initially offered $3.5 million for the properties, which the churches rejected.
“After review with our legal counsel, we feel there is no need for a reply at this time. The letter is not a legal document, only a statement of opinion,” Kevin Remaly said, reading a letter from leadership to the congregation. “We have already allowed the community to voice their opinion to our congregations.”
“We have already allowed the community to voice their opinion to our congregations.”Kevin Remaly, a church leader
“We ask that people please stop discussing matters or making comments with the public through news media or social media regarding this sale,” he said.
A previously planned vote on the sale was postponed after the Bethlehem Parking Authority said it was considering filing to take the St. John’s Windish parking lot through eminent domain.
The authority later abandoned those plans, clearing the way for the sale to proceed.
