About Holy Infancy · Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church, located at 312 East 4th Street in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Bethlehem. Founded in 1861 by Saint John Neumann, then Bishop of Philadelphia, it was established as a 'mother church' open to all Catholic nationalities in South Bethlehem. The parish traces its current building to an 1882 Gothic Revival structure designed by Philadelphia architect Edwin Forrest Durang, featuring a distinctive 196-foot spire, and continues to serve a multicultural congregation with Masses in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Established
- 1861
- Patron
- Holy Infancy of Jesus (Infant Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew Gehringer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Holy Infancy is the spiritual and historical heart of South Bethlehem's Catholic community—the oldest Catholic parish in the city, founded by Saint John Neumann, and housed in a landmark 1880s Gothic Revival church whose bell has rung over the Southside since the 19th century. Today it is a genuinely multicultural parish, celebrating Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese every Sunday to serve worshippers from across Latin America, Portugal, and Brazil, alongside an established Catholic grade school (K–8) and full sacramental, faith-formation, and OCIA/RCIA programs in three languages.
Mass times at Holy Infancy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:45–8:05 AM (before the 8:15 AM Mass)
- Monday–Friday 30 minutes before daily Mass
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered — schedule available on the parish website/calendar
History of Holy Infancy Parish
Founded in 1861 as a territorial 'mother church' for all Catholics in South Bethlehem, Holy Infancy is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in the city. The first church building was completed in 1864; the current Gothic Revival structure was designed by Edwin Forrest Durang, begun in 1882, and dedicated in 1886 by Archbishop Patrick John Ryan. The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2011 and continues to serve a multicultural, multilingual congregation.
- Founded 1861 by Saint John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia
- First church dedicated 1864 (40 x 80 ft)
- Current church dedicated 1886
- Architect: Edwin Forrest Durang (Philadelphia)
- 150th anniversary celebrated 2011
The 1882 Church: Architecture & Art
Philadelphia architect Edwin Forrest Durang designed the present church in the Gothic Revival Perpendicular style, measuring 67 by 147 feet in stone. A central 196-foot spire—later lowered during WWII—rises above the sanctuary. The interior features three altar paintings: a central Crucifixion by Philipo Costaginni (1839–1904) flanked by two works by Constantino Brumidi (1805–1880), both Italian artists trained at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome.
- Gothic Revival / Perpendicular style
- 67 ft by 147 ft, stone construction
- 196-foot spire (modified in WWII)
- Altar paintings by Brumidi and Costaginni
- Historic bell restored in 2022
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
Holy Infancy celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Portuguese each week, with multiple daily and weekend Masses. Confessions are heard Sunday mornings before the 8:15 AM Mass and weekdays 30 minutes before daily Mass. Eucharistic Adoration is offered—see the parish calendar for the current schedule.
- Sunday: 7:00 AM (Eng), 8:15 AM (Port), 10:00 AM (Sp), 12:00 PM (Eng)
- Weekdays: Mon & Thu 7:30 AM (Eng); Wed & Fri 12:15 PM (Eng); Tue 7:00 PM (Sp)
- Saturday: 8:00 AM English (1st Sat only); 4:15 PM Vigil at Incarnation Parish
- Confession: Sun 7:45–8:05 AM and 30 min before weekday Masses
- Eucharistic Adoration: see parish calendar
Faith Formation & Religious Education (PREP)
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) meets on Wednesdays and provides formation for children in grades 1–6 as well as teens preparing for Confirmation. Adult seekers and those completing sacraments of initiation are served through the OCIA/RCIA program, offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Children's OCIA is available for those age 7 and older who have not been baptized.
- PREP for grades 1–6 (3 years of preparation for First Communion)
- Two-year Confirmation preparation for teens
- OCIA / RCIA in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
- Adult Confirmation program
Holy Infancy School
Founded in 1894 by the parish and housed in a school building built under Rev. Philip McEnroe, Holy Infancy School is a Catholic K–8 school located on the Southside of Bethlehem. Current principal Mrs. Jeanne S. Negron-Garcia, a Holy Infancy alumna and bilingual educator, was appointed in 2019. The school partners closely with the parish, and the annual Multicultural Fest serves as a major fundraiser supporting its mission.
- Catholic K–8 school, founded 1894
- Principal: Mrs. Jeanne S. Negron-Garcia (since 2019)
- Bilingual/bicultural leadership and programming
- Supported by annual Multicultural Fest
Parish Staff
Holy Infancy is served by a parish priest and parochial vicar with the assistance of parish staff, including a business manager, faith-formation coordinators, and bilingual ministry leaders.
- Rev. Andrew Gehringer – Pastor (since June 2015)
- Rev. Miguel Ramirez – Assistant Pastor
- Joe McCarthy – Business Manager
- Monsignor Robert Biszek – Pastor Emeritus
St. Michael's Cemetery
In 1867, Asa Packer donated 2.5 acres on South Mountain to Holy Infancy for use as a parish cemetery. The first burial was James Griffin, an Irish immigrant, in what is now St. Michael's Cemetery—the resting place of at least 26 nationalities of South Bethlehem Catholics over more than 150 years.
- 2.5 acres on South Mountain, donated 1867 by Asa Packer
- First interment: James Griffin (1867)
- Burial site of at least 26 nationalities
Multicultural Parish Community
While Holy Infancy historically served the Irish Catholic population of South Bethlehem in the 19th century, it now ministers to a multicultural, multilingual congregation. In addition to English, Holy Infancy celebrates weekly Mass in Spanish (for worshippers from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and Guatemala) and in Portuguese (for parishioners from Portugal and Brazil). This commitment to multicultural community life is celebrated through the annual Multicultural Fest.
- English, Spanish, and Portuguese Masses
- Members from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Central America, Guatemala, Portugal, Brazil
- Annual Multicultural Fest
Contact & Visiting
Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church is located at 312 East 4th Street in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The parish office can be reached by phone at 610-866-1121 or by email at [email protected]. The current website is holyinfancychurch.com.
- Address: 312 East 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
- Phone: 610-866-1121
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holyinfancychurch.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael McEnroe1862–1877
First pastor of Holy Infancy; built the rectory at Locust and East Fourth Streets; oversaw construction of the original 40x80-foot church and its 1864 dedication.
- Rev. Philip McEnroe1877–ca. 1910
Brother of Michael McEnroe; oversaw construction of the current Gothic Revival church designed by Edwin Forrest Durang, dedicated 1886; built the large rectory and parish school that continues today (1839–1910).
- Monsignor Robert Biszek1997–2015
Long-serving pastor at the time of the parish's 150th anniversary; oversaw the parish through the celebration year 2011.
- Rev. Andrew Gehringer2015–present
Previously served at Holy Infancy 2006–2009 as parochial vicar; then Diocesan Vocation Director 2009–2011; Pastor of St. Paul Parish Allentown 2011–2015; returned as Pastor of Holy Infancy in June 2015.