BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The building that once was the hub of St. Joseph’s Parish on Bethlehem’s Southside soon will be offered for sale, according to a written statement Monday from the Diocese of Allentown.
The parish was closed in 2008 when it merged with several nearby parishes. At that time, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish took over the care of the St. Joseph’s building at 417 E. Fifth St.
- St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Bethlehem will be sold
- The parish merged with nearby churches in 2008
- One last Mass will be held on March 18 to celebrate St. Joseph's Feast Day
Since then, St. Joseph’s has held just one regular Mass a year — March 19, honoring the Feast of St. Joseph — and sporadically for the funerals of former parishioners, diocese Communications Director Paul Wirth wrote.
The church will close for good after one final Feast Day of St. Joseph Mass on March 18.
In recent memory, the building has been wrapped in scaffolding because of deteriorating stone on the exterior and structural issues, and has become a financial hardship for Incarnation Parish.
St. Joseph’s will be the fourth Southside Bethlehem church for sale.
Three Lutheran churches, including St. John’s Windish, recently have gone on the market along with an undeveloped parcel that completes the four-part bundle.
Lehigh University and the City of Bethlehem have expressed interest in the properties.
