A tearful Service of Leave-Taking was held at St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church, 617 E. Fourth St. April 23.

The three newly-merged congregations forming the Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church gathered to say good-bye to St. John’s Windish. This building, along with its parking lot across the street, St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 474 Vine St., and Light of Christ Lutheran Church at 202 Worthington Ave. are being purchased by Lehigh University as a package deal. Closing is scheduled for May 3.

The members will be gathering at Light of Christ Lutheran Church as tenants until they have found a new permanent home. In light of dwindling memberships, the three separate congregations voted to worship together.

Pastor Mike Button, serving in an interim capacity, led the historic building’s final service. He was aided by Kevin Remaly serving as assisting minister, and Bishop Leon Novak of Slovenia. Longtime member Gina Brockway joined them to read several Bible verses.

“Today, we gather in this place to give thanks for the ministry that has happened in these buildings and for the people who have been fed and nurtured in the Christian faith here,” said Remaly. “Even as we mark the end of an era in one place, we acknowledge how we all are participants in God’s mission that continues beyond this day and these walls.”

While Button expressed hope that, “the new owner will be respectful, considerate, and work cooperatively with the surrounding community,” he claimed no knowledge as to what the disposition of the stained glass windows, pipe organ, pulpit, or the church building’s other furnishing will be.

“The love that created those windows, the love that built that organ to the glory of God, the love that raised these walls to create this space, that love will never end,” Button said.

The service was kicked off with a solo by Frank E. Podleiszek. He sang “Osztaniz-Menom (Abide with Me)” in Slovenian and English from high atop the towering pulpit.

The South Side Brass, church choir and organist Jim Long provided music for worship.

Lehigh University is purchasing the package deal consisting of St. John’s Windish Evangelical Church at 617 E. Fourth St., its parking lot at 616 E. Fourth St., St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 474 Vine St., and Light of Christ Lutheran Church at 202 Worthington Ave.

St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1911 along East Fourth Street, then rebuilt and expanded over the years to serve a predominantly Slovenian congregation. Called Windish by the Germans, the multi-lingual Slovenians first attended the German-language services at South Bethlehem’s St. Peter’s Lutheran Church during the late 1800s and early 1900s before building their own church.

Many of the parishioners dabbed their eyes during the service. It was a bittersweet moment for these descendants of members who founded the church in the early 20th century. Others in the congregation have lived their own family histories within the walls of the venerable building.

Third-generation church members Susan Vitez and her brother Bill expressed disappointment in the need to leave St. John’s Windish behind. The Vitez family sponsored the red carnations (the flower of Slovenia) that were handed out after the service.

Brockway has been a member since she was born. Her paternal grandparents, immigrants from what was Hungary and now Slovenia, were among the St. John’s founders.

Her daughter, 20-year-old Liliana Brockway, snuffed out the candles at the end of the Service of Leave-Taking. Although a fourth generation member of St. John’s, she said, “I’m excited for what’s to come.”

“This service has been extraordinarily emotional,” said church Unity Council Co-Chairman Ken Remaly, a member since 1969. “Hopefully we’ll be able to commit to community and God what we were able to accomplish at St. John’s and at St. Peter’s.”

For more information: www.blessedtrinitybethlehem.org