The Allentown Diocese will shoulder less of a tax burden on three of its properties in Shenandoah.

The buildings are St. Stanislaus Church, Divine Mercy Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.Schuylkill County commissioners at a workshop meeting Wednesday approved an agreement with the Allentown diocese and the county Board of Assessment Appeals that reduces the tax burden on the buildings.Commissioners approved the agreement, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015, on the recommendation of county solicitor Glenn Roth.The first parcel, on west Cherry Street, was reduced to a fair market value of $51,000 from $168,440.The second parcel, also on west Cherry, was reduced to $16,000 from $86,360, and the third, on north Diamond Street, to $33,000 from $119,670.The reductions came after extensive negotiations, and based upon expert appraisal reports of the diocese, according to Roth.