Beginning January 1, St. John’s Lutheran Church, North Street, Jim Thorpe, and Christ Lutheran Church, Penn Forest Township, will no longer be a two-church parish, following a decision made yesterday at special congregational meetings following their services.

St. John’s will continue to be served by the Rev. William J. Leifeld, while Christ Church will be supplied various pastors assigned by the Eastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod.

The two congregations joined as a parish about 1900. Christ Church is presently being rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire last April 22. The new sanctuary will be of a colonial design and will measure 38 feet wide and 72 feet long.