SLUHN Acquires Former Church from Lehigh University

Lehigh University has entered into a sale agreement with St. Luke’s University Health Network on the sale of 617 East 4th Street, site of the former St. John's Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The location will expand the scope and impact of St. Luke’s community health services, said Rajika E. Reed, St. Luke’s Vice President of Community Health.

“The acquisition of the church site will allow St. Luke’s 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,” Reed said.

After acquiring the property in 2023, Lehigh convened representatives from the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area School District and St. Luke’s to discuss ongoing projects and plans. The group was asked to consider possible future uses that would benefit the local community, considering both the needs of the community and the university’s educational and research mission. During this period Lehigh continued to use the building, both as a polling place for the elections department and as a rent-free temporary location for the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem as their Summer Camp home. The location was also considered during the Bethlehem Southside community center feasibility project, ultimately being selected as one of two finalist locations considered by the City.

“From the beginning, it has been important to the City and its residents that this property remain a community space,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. Williams Reynolds. “Through collaboration and conversation among community partners, we are happy that Lehigh and St. Luke’s were able to ensure the preservation of this building that is an important part of South Bethlehem’s history while also addressing a community need by committing to its future use as a health services center.”

Lehigh University purchased the property located at 617 East 4th Street in 2023 as part of a multi-property deal that enabled three local faith congregations to consolidate into a new church, Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, with a new home on Broad Street in Bethlehem. The two other locations included in the purchase now serve in one case as a home for the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre and in the other, as a collaboration hub for innovation, bringing together Lehigh’s Office of Entrepreneurship, the Office of Creative Inquiry, and the Office of Educational Innovation and Assessment.

“Lehigh University is honored to have served as the steward of 617 East 4th Street for the past two years,” said Christine E. Cook, Vice President for Administration and Finance at Lehigh University. “The sale to St. Luke’s ensures that this location will continue to serve the South Bethlehem community in a meaningful way, allowing us to fulfill our initial vision for these properties.”