BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network plans to expand community health services by buying the former St. John\u2019s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church, it was announced Monday.<\/p>\n
Current property owner Lehigh University and St. Luke\u2019s have arranged a sale agreement for the church site at 617 E. Fourth St., according to a new release from the two entities.<\/p>\n
The move will build on a partnership with the hospital\u2019s Star Community Health Clinic and Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley \u201cto promote community health initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of our South Bethlehem residents,\u201d St. Luke\u2019s Vice President of Community Health Rajika Reed said.<\/p>\n
Once a community hub for more than a century \u2014 and most recently a polling place and rent-free, temporary summer camp location for Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem \u2014 St. John\u2019s Windish held its final service in April 2023<\/a>. <\/p>\n The congregation first opened its doors to local Slovenian immigrants in 1909.<\/p>\n ‘Continue to serve’<\/p>\n Lehigh bought the property in 2023 for $3.75 million as part of a local multi-property deal<\/a>, which included St. John\u2019s, St. Peter\u2019s and Light of Christ Lutheran.<\/p>\n The congregations merged to form Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, on West Broad Street.<\/p>\n