First Presbyterian Church (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

Postcard depicting First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church is a church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The church was established in 1875, and the present building on Center Street was completed in 1957.[1]

First Presbyterian Church has 2,609 members and is in the process of leaving the PC(USA)

[2] and joning Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians.[3][4] The reasons given for considering breaking away from the mother church are same sex issues, Biblical interpretation, and reluctance to become involved in social justice work such as divestment from stocks supporting injustices including the military occupation of Palestine.[5] Pastor Dave Duquette, moderator of the Lehigh Presbytery, will lead the congregation in the discernment process to determine the wishes of the 2609 members. A large group of church persons wished more information about this historic move-especially the significant financial and social costs-and they have formed an educational effort to remain in the PC(USA) named Presbyterians for Unity.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Weiner, William G.; Samuels, Karen (2014). Bethlehem Revisited. Arcadia Publishing. p. 91. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  2. ↑ (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Church. "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)". www.pcusa.org. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  3. ↑ www.layman.org/first-presbyterian-church-of-bethlehem-seeks-to-leave-national-presbyterian-church/
  4. ↑ www.fpc-bethlehem.org/denominationalissues/index.html
  5. ↑ "First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem seeks to leave national Presbyterian Church". themorningcall.com. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  6. ↑ "Presbyterians for Unity". www.presbyterians-for-unity.org. Retrieved 2015-11-14.

External links

Coordinates: 40°38′42″N 75°22′26″W / 40.645°N 75.374°W / 40.645; -75.374

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