BETHLEHEM, Pa. – St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) has completed its purchase of a former Lutheran church in Southside Bethlehem.
According to county property records, the deed transfer was recorded on Feb. 3. St. Luke’s paid $750,000 for the former St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church at 617 E. 4th St.
The church was one of three purchased by Lehigh University in 2023. The school paid $3.75 million for the properties, outbidding the city of Bethlehem, which offered $3.5 million.
Former St. John’s Windish Church in Bethlehem
WFMZ
SLUHN announced its intention to buy St. John’s Windish last September. A spokesperson said the health network is still “working on the final plans to utilize this facility for the benefit of the community.”
“Our goal is to build upon our successful partnership with the Hispanic Center and Star Community Health centers throughout the Lehigh Valley by utilizing this property to promote community health initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of our South Bethlehem residents,” the spokesperson said, in an email to 69 News.
The other churches that were part of the original sale to Lehigh were St. Peter’s Church at 474 Vine St. and Light of Christ Lutheran Church at 2020 Worthington Ave.
They, along with St. John’s Windish, previously consolidated into a new congregation called Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church.
Lehigh still owns the Vine St. property. It houses the Baker Institute, Office of Entrepreneurship, and other offices.
The former church also was used as a new polling place in the November 2025 election.
The old Light of Christ Lutheran Church was purchased by the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre (PYT) for $725,000 in 2024. At the time, PYT was in need of a new home because the Banana Factory, where it was then housed, was set to be razed.