Preparations are underway to demolish the first Lithuanian Catholic Church ever built in the United States. Some parishioners are watching their house of worship being taken apart, piece by piece.
Saint George Lithuanian Catholic Church in shenandoah has been closed for more than three years. Diocese of Allentown officials said it's unsafe and must be demolished.
Dot and Jim Setcavage are waging a legal battle to save the church. "I am very angry but I am also very sad and it's hard for me to speak because of what's happening," said Jim Setcavage.
He said what is heartbreaking is watching his church being prepped for demolition. He took pictures of workers taking stained glass windows from the church to a waiting truck. The windows will go into storage, according to the diocese.
"One of those big windows belonged to our family and I am sure it's like everybody else's family. We paid for this stuff. The diocese didn't pay for it," said Dot Setcavage.
The Setcavages said they will be forever emotionally tied to Saint George Church.
"I was born, baptized,confirmed, we were married there over 38 years ago," Dot Setcavage added. The family said their faith has been tried. "I will never give up in believing in God but it affected my belief in the Diocese of Allentown. I wrote letters to the bishops but was never permitted to talk with them."
A judge will hold a hearing December first. The Setcavages are asking to halt the demolition. He will also hear testimony about the historic aspects of the church and where some donations went. The money was set aside to repair Saint George, a church which could soon be turned into an empty lot.
Saint George Lithuanian Catholic Church in shenandoah has been closed for more than three years. Diocese of Allentown officials said it's unsafe and must be demolished.
Dot and Jim Setcavage are waging a legal battle to save the church. "I am very angry but I am also very sad and it's hard for me to speak because of what's happening," said Jim Setcavage.
He said what is heartbreaking is watching his church being prepped for demolition. He took pictures of workers taking stained glass windows from the church to a waiting truck. The windows will go into storage, according to the diocese.
"One of those big windows belonged to our family and I am sure it's like everybody else's family. We paid for this stuff. The diocese didn't pay for it," said Dot Setcavage.
The Setcavages said they will be forever emotionally tied to Saint George Church.
"I was born, baptized,confirmed, we were married there over 38 years ago," Dot Setcavage added. The family said their faith has been tried. "I will never give up in believing in God but it affected my belief in the Diocese of Allentown. I wrote letters to the bishops but was never permitted to talk with them."
A judge will hold a hearing December first. The Setcavages are asking to halt the demolition. He will also hear testimony about the historic aspects of the church and where some donations went. The money was set aside to repair Saint George, a church which could soon be turned into an empty lot.
