An article in the Morning Call about the large Bethlehem First Presbyterian congregation no longer being able to afford its campus caught my attention. Recently, a member of the Allentown's First Presbyterian on Cedar Crest and Tilghman mentioned that they are having the same dilemma.
As neighborhood center city churches in both towns became passé because of changing demographics and lack of parking, those congregations consolidated, and the mega structures were built. Now that attendance has declined, the infrastructure demands exceed the current dues.
Both congregations want to end up with a right size church, with an affordable overhead. Shown above is an old photograph of a synagogue in Coney Island,NYC. Although I don't know its fate, I know that many churches in downtown Allentown now house dominations and faiths different from their original congregations.
Allentown's First Presbyterian began on 5th Street, part of the current Art Museum. That Museum now wants to move to the Reilly Art's District at 10th & Hamilton. Maybe they should reflect on the long term success of such moves.
Fritz UMC on Packer Ave survives due to a trust fund set up by the Fritz foundation. We only get 12-15 congregation a week. Beautiful church with pipe organ
ReplyDeleteJohn@7:22: The Emmanuel Church at 16th&Chew(Allentown) also had a large trust fund. Years ago they spent it down, repointing the stone, which didn't even need it. I suspect it was not the only church which squandered such trusts, instead of banking for the rainy days ahead. At the time of the repointing, they still. had a large congregation.
ReplyDeleteMike, the mainline protestant churches lost sight of their central mission and instead engaged in social activism. That was always a losing bet to attract new congregants as there's plenty of competition out there for those seeking to change the world rather than their souls.
ReplyDeleteThe large group of congregants that left the First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem several years ago are thriving as Grace Church Bethlehem (actually in Bethlehem Township). They moved into their newly built church facility five years ago and already need to expand. I guess adherence to the teachings of Jesus is still doable. Kudos to that church, their leadership, and their growing group of congregants.
ReplyDeleteDubbs church, one time the largest UCC church, went belly up. Also St James on tilghman. Sad
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