The Bethlehem Lutheran Church has stood for 74 years at the Crescent Street location. Members voted to sell its building and buy a former postal vehicle maintenance facility annex building on Commerce and Bartlett Streets.

A developer plans to convert the church into condominiums but keep its historic exterior intact. Any exterior renovation would need approval from the Historic Preservation Commission as the building is in the Heritage Hill district.

The move would free up resources for the church’s renewed emphasis on social justice. Some mourn the loss of a beautiful building in a vibrant neighborhood