UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa.- St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is adding another church building to its real estate portfolio.
The health network recently acquired 5900 Old Bethlehem Pike in Upper Saucon Township, which is the current home of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
According to Lehigh County property records, St. Luke’s paid $2.2 million for the 2.11-acre site, which is next to one of its existing medical buildings.
The SLUHN property at 5848 Old Bethlehem Pike houses a family medical practice, regional breast center and physical therapy office.
A spokesperson for the health network said programming for the new site is currently under consideration.
Cornerstone Presbyterian previously announced it would be moving to a new church about a mile-and-a-half away at 3717 Station Avenue.
Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Upper Saucon Twp.
WFMZ-TV | Amy Unger
The church said on social media in March that St. Luke’s has approached it “with an unexpected and generous offer” to purchase the property, at a time when the church was already considering how to handle its growing congregation and need for more space.
“This transition allows us to remain rooted in our community while preparing a space designed for the next generation of ministry — expanded children’s classrooms, welcoming gathering areas, and a worship space built for the life we share together,” Cornerstone Presbyterian said on its website.
Construction of the new church is expected to take about two years.
In February, St. Luke’s completed its purchase of a former Lutheran church in Southside Bethlehem.
According to county property records, St. Luke’s paid $750,000 for the former St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church at 617 E. 4th St.
The site is one of several scooped up by the health network in recent months.
Those other buys include the former Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company station for $380,000; a former Rite Aid in Hellertown for nearly $2.85 million; and the former Unclaimed Freight furniture store on Industrial Drive in Bethlehem for $11.25 million.