Bethlehem Trad Church Thrives
- James Donovan
- Nov 16, 2025
- 2 min read
Recently TLM Friends had the pleasure of visiting Holy Ghost Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, an active and prayerful FSSP parish that continues to preserve and celebrate the beauty of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Altar at Holy Ghost Church
After both morning Masses, we set up a small table and were thrilled to meet so many parishioners while offering, for donations, patronal tee shirts, missals, and traditional Catholic books. The enthusiasm and kindness of this booming Catholic community gives one a spiritual renaissance of a bright future with God's grace.
During our visit, we were honored to present Pastor Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP, with one of our patronal shirts as a token of gratitude, along with a donation to support Holy Ghost Church and its ongoing mission. Father Pendergraft and the parish staff were gracious and welcoming, and it was clear how much love and dedication they pour into strengthening the life of the parish.
Holy Ghost Church has long been a spiritual anchor in Bethlehem, serving local Catholics for decades with reverence, beauty, and a deep commitment to the sacramental life. Under the FSSP’s guidance, it has become a home where the traditional liturgy flourishes, families grow in faith, and parish life continues to thrive. The church’s history is woven into the city itself, standing as a reminder of the enduring strength of the Catholic tradition.
According to the church's website, Holy Ghost Church was originally established as a German ethnic parish as the North Side of Bethlehem spawned a large German-speaking population. The beautiful stain-glassed windows and Germain writings on the walls of the church attest to its past. The church was dedicated to Saint Bernard, March 18, 1888.
After a decade the diocese needed to build a larger church as the old St Bernard's was no longer adequate to handle the increasing number of new parishioners. A new church dedicated to the Holy Ghost was planned and although ground was broken in 1895, the church was not completed and dedicated until 1910, The Romanesque style of the church interior and its cruciform style reflects the heritage of 19th Century German and Austrian churches, according to the website.
The old church next store houses the local Catholic Newman Center for Lehigh University. In 2023 Saint Stephen of Hungary, an Allentown-based FSSP parish since 2006, would merge with Holy Ghost. Fr. Pendergraft was named pastor with Fr, David Lopez, FSSP, as his parochial vicar, along with Fr. Daniel Nolan, FSSP and Fr. Sam Florance, FSSP.
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), founded in 1988, is dedicated to the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass and the formation of priests committed to the fullness of Catholic tradition. Their presence at Holy Ghost Church reflects their mission beautifully: fostering reverence, catechesis, strong community life, and a deep love for the liturgy. We are grateful for the opportunity to support their work, and we left Bethlehem encouraged by the vibrancy and faithfulness of the parish community.
Comments