Packer Memorial Chapel
Why it's listed
Packer Memorial Chapel, built between 1885 and 1887 on the Lehigh University campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was designed by the Philadelphia architect Addison Hutton, who also designed the President's House and Linderman Library at the university. It was given by Mary Packer Cummings as a memorial to her father, Asa Packer, the university's founder. Its Victorian collegiate Gothic design includes a noble tower with gargoyles, a tympanum over the entrance showing Le Bon Dieu between two angels, and wrought iron door hinges ending in serpents' heads. The chancel holds a large Tiffany window of Christ teaching the elders in the temple, and the transepts have rose windows. The building is regarded as the largest church in Bethlehem. It has also long been the home of the Bach Choir, whose yearly festivals outgrew the Central Moravian Church.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the chapel is a significant example of Victorian collegiate Gothic architecture, distinguished from other Lehigh buildings by the richness of its appointments. It cites its tympanum, Tiffany window, rose windows and interior furnishings, and notes that it is the largest church in Bethlehem. It also links the building to the Bach Choir, whose festivals have been held there.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79003234, listed November 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Packer Avenue, Lehigh University, Bethlehem |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | November 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003234 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1600-1699 |
| Architect / builder | Addison Hutton (architect) |
| Architectural style | Victorian collegiate Gothic |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.60765, -75.37764 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79003234.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7122946
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.