News
Bethlehem, Penn. (May 29, 2025) –First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem is embarking on a new chapter in its legacy of stewardship, announcing today that it will be offering its expansive 31.56-acre property for redevelopment. The church is now accepting offers for sale, ground lease, or joint venture from all interested parties. While there is no listed asking price, the church is entering a discernment process to consider proposals that align with its mission and values.
Located in the heart of Bethlehem, the site includes more than 100,000 square feet of existing building space and about half of the parcel is undeveloped land, offering a unique opportunity for adaptive reuse and ground-up development. First Presbyterian Bethlehem is seeking a future use that will contribute positively to the surrounding community. As part of this process, the church plans to continue to worship and operate on a portion of the campus moving forward.
“For 68 years, this property has been a place of gathering, growth, and faith,” said Pastor Lindsey Altvater Clifton. “We believe we are being called into this next chapter—to reimagine how we can be good stewards of this building and land in a way that reflects our congregation’s core values and meets the needs of our community.”
Like many churches across the country, First Presbyterian Bethlehem has experienced significant changes in its physical and congregational needs over time. As a result, the church feels called to realign their resources to more directly serve the community which is the focus of their mission and ministry—without the ongoing demands of maintaining such a large campus.
In the fall of 2023, the church began to explore the potential for mixed-income affordable housing as a future use on the property. Although that effort was paused during a 2024 pastoral leadership transition, the church’s leadership team continues to express a strong sense of clarity around the need for residential and community-centered uses. While the church is open to all offers and concepts at this time, they particularly encourage offers from the affordable housing sector or for projects achieving equity and access in housing.
Importantly, the church will preserve its existing Memorial Garden, a cherished part of the property that will be maintained in any future plans. Those interested in submitting offers or learning more about the property are encouraged to contact Carlin Beekman, Vice President with Foundry Commercial’s Mission Property Group, at carlin.beekman@foundrycommercial.com or 407-540-7789, or Matt Messier, SIOR, CCIM, also with Foundry Commercial’s Mission Property Group, at matt.messier@foundrycommercial.com or 407-540-7718.