It was not until the mid-nineteenth century that large numbers of Catholics began to immigrate to Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, the closest Catholic church for residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties was the Mission of Goshenhoppen in Bally, Washington Twp., Berks County, Pa. The church was founded by Father Schneider, an immigrant from the Palatinate, in 1741. The church was later known as the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, then as St. Paul's .
In 1829 , the parish of St. Bernard's was established in Easton, Pennsylvania to serve the needs of the area's growing German Catholic population ( The church was not built unti abt. 1835).St. Bernard's is often considered the 'Mother church' of Catholicism in the Lehigh Valley. It not only served the needs of Catholics in Northampton County, but also those in the counties of Carbon, Schuylkill, and Bucks. By 1852, the congregation had become so large that a second church, St. Joseph's. was built in South Easton. Initially a small church with a one-room school in the basement, St. Joseph's was rebuilt in 1890 to accommodate its large congregation. That church burned down in 1911. The present church, which takes up one whole city block and seats 800, was built in 1915.
The parish of St. Michael's was established by Lithuanian immigrants in the Easton area in 1916. They purchased the former Heptosoph Hall and Brainerd's Church on Spring Garden St. and did extensive remodeling.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Roseto has an interesting history. In 1887 a group of immigrants from Roseto Valfortore, Italy settled in a wooded area in Wahington Township. This area was initially called "Little Italy", but later came to be known as Roseto. These Catholic immigrants initially traveled to Easton to attend servivces at St. Bernard's when they were able to. But they soon established their own congregation. In the beginning, services were conducted in a makeshift tent by a visiting priest. At some point, a simple frame church was built and Our Lady of Mount Carmel was the Patroness of the small Congregation. In 1923, the cornerstone was laid for the new stone church.
In nearby West Bangor, St. Roch's Church was dedicated in 1921. The first mass was celebrated by Rev. James Lavezzari, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He was assisted by Rev. Joseph Ducci. Some of the priests who have served at the church: Rev. James P. Gallagher, 1937- ?; Rev. James R. Dickert, 1965-1969; Very REv. Robert M. Forst, 1969-1972; Rev. James Tulio, 1972; Rev. Joseph Shehan, Apr. 1972- ?
In 1854, the German Catholics in Bethlehem, Pa. began holding services in the home of Nicholas Miller on Union St. In 1856 they built a church on Union St. between Main and New. The Church of the Nativity of our Lord was dedicated on Christmas day by the Reverend John Tanzer. Known to most people as the German Catholic Church, it hosted Sunday Mass once a month. Up until 1860, it was attended by priests from the Easton churches. Father Tanzer was succeeded by Reverend Joseph Schrader, then by Reverend Rudolph Kuenzer. He was succeeded by Reverend Michael McEnroe in 1862. From 1860 to 1871 the church was attended to by the priests of the Allentown church.
The German Catholics in the Catasaqua area founded St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in 1857. Burials at this church were usually to the Gethsemane Cemetery (Catasaqua). The growing Slovak population in Catasaqua resulted in the formation of a new Catholic church, St. Andrew's in 1902.
By 1863, there was a need for a Catholic Church on the South Side of Bethlehem. Father McEnroe started the Church of the Holy Infancy on the corner of E. Fourth and Locust Sts. In 1882, construction was started on a larger church and was completed in1886. During this period of construction, church services were held in St. Michael's Hall on E. Fourth St., near Spruce. In 1894, a school and convent were erected and given into the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Church of the Holy Ghost, also in South Bethlehem, was established in 1871. It was rebuilt in 1895 to accomodate its growing congregation. By 1891, the large influx of Catholic Slovaks to the area resulted in the establishment of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. This church was rebuilt in 1912. At the turn of the century, a large number of Polish Catholics had begun immigrating to the area. They established their own church, St. Stanislaus, on Hayes St. in 1905.
Our Lady of Pompeii was dedicated in 1923 to serve the Italian Catholics in South Bethlehem. Later, many Portuguese also attended this church.
St. Ursula's church was built in the Borough of Fountain Hill (adjacent to South Bethlehem) in 1919. The original building was large enough to hold both the church and the grade school. A new church was built next to the old building in 1966 and the older building is now used solely for the school. The school is now called Holy Child School.
St. Anne's Catholic Church on Easton Avenue and Washington Ave. in Bethlehem was founded in 1929.
The first Catholic Church in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa. Was the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Although opened in October of 1857, it was officially dedicated in May of 1858. Almost from the start there was much dissension between the German speaking members of the congregation and the English speaking members. In 1862, Reverend Garvey was put in charge of the English speaking congregation at Immaculate Conception and Reverend Ernest H. Herman was told to take the German speaking members and go build a new church. Although it took some time, he did just that, and opened the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1870. It is located on Fourth and Pine Streets in Allentown. A new church was built by the congregation of the Church of The Immaculate conception. Although the new church was not completed until 1883, the cornerstone was layed in Sept. of 1873. The new church had a seating capacity of 1200.
St. Rocco's Catholic Church was constructed in Martin's Creek in 1937. The $18,000 dollar church took four months to build and was officially dedicated on Sept. 26, 1937.
In June, 2008, The Allentown Diocese of the Catholic Church announced the closings of 1/3 of its parishes. The restructuring was in response to diminishing church attendance and a growing shortage of priests. For a list of parishes that closed and the parishes that they were merged into, click this link.
It is my understanding that the records of the parishes that close will be transferred to the ones they are merging with. Chuch Mergers
Addresses:
Holy Ghost Sts. Cyril & Methodius Our Lady of Pompeii
417 Carlton Ave. 617 Pierce St. 820 East Fourth St.
Bethlehem, Pa. Bethlehem, Pa. 18015 Bethlehem, Pa. 18015
610-691-2746 610-866-3391 (610) 691-0719
*For More on the history of
this church, visit this very
informative website:
Holy Infancy Immaculate Conception Church St. Roch's Church
312 E. 4th St. 501 Ridge Avenue 1400 Second St.
Bethlehem, Pa. Allentown, Pa. Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072
610-691-9930610-433-4404 610-863-9055
St. Bernard's St. Ursula's Our Lady of Good Counsel
132 S. 5th St. 1300 Broadway436 South Second St.
Easton, Pa. Bethlehem, Pa. 18015 Bangor, Pa. 18013
610-252-7381 610-867-5122 610-588-5445
St. Michael's St. Joseph's Our Lady of Mount Carmel
219 Spring Garden St. 129 Davis St. 3rd Avenue & Garibaldi St.
Easton, Pa. Easton, Pa. Roseto, Pa. 18013
610-923-6980610-252-0242 610-588-2183
Sacred Heart Church St. Stanislaus Catholic Church St. Rocco's Church
336 N. 4th St. 429 Hayes St. 6658 School St.
Allentown, Pa. 18102 Bethlehem, Pa. 18015Martin's Creek, Pa. 18063
610-434-5171 610-867-9323 610-258-9059
*See cemetery link below
St. Anne's
450 E. Washington Ave.
Bethlehem, Pa. 18017
Diocese of Allentown Most Blessed Sacrament Church
4029 W. Tilghman St. 610 Pine st.
Allentown, Pa Bally, Pa. 19503
610-437-0755 610-845-2460
Records available at Berks Co. Genealogical Society!
610-437-0755Online Records of Early Goshenhoppen
Marriages, Deaths and Conversions-
compliled by Barbara Brady O'Keefe
Mostly Philadelphia and Lancaster area from
about mid 1700's through early 1800's.
210-299 Fullertown Avenue
Whitehall, Pa.
This cemetery is cared for by
Sacred Heart Parish of Allentown
This site has a partial listing of burials
(Adjoins Immaculate Conception on Ridge Ave)
Partial Listing of burials
Easton, Williams Twp. Northampton, County
Maintained by the parish of St. Michaels/St. Bernard's
