The parish of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Coplay, is overwhelmed with sadness as the 86-year-old building is set for domolition.

Built of Nazareth brick, the three-story building has been vacant since June 2011.

Palm Sunday, Monsignor John Martin, pastor, told the congregation Sargent Enterprises Inc., Jim Thorpe, this week was to begin the task of removing asbestos material from the building.

Building Excavators, Kutztown, is expected to demolish the building by May 21.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by June 21 or earlier, allowing for preparations for the parish Homecoming Picnic in August.

The grounds will be leveled off with fill and crushed stone following demolition and will remain for at least a year to allow for settlement. Future plans have not been addressed, but additional parking is possible.

Many church members attended school and Mass in the building, which was constructed in 1927.

"I have been part of three major capital projects for buildings, this is my first where something is being town down," said Martin, as a tinge of sadness rang through his voice.

Many meetings have taken place regarding the future of the building before it was determined demolition was the best course of action.

The decision, Mgsr. Martin said, was based on eight factors, including the building's age, eliminating insurance costs and taxes for the building, reducing the potential for vandalism, avoiding the need for roof replacement, ongoing deterioration of the building's interior, asbestos found in various locations of the building, energy inefficient windows and steep staircases making accessibility difficult.

"It is not a project that any of us feel good about, but to leave the situation as is only delays the inevitable," Martin said during Mass.

Rev. Joseph J. Ostheimer was the church's first pastor and founder. Receiving a call June 6, 1927 from Cardinal Dougherty, he was instructed to head a new parish being formed in Coplay.

He had been an assistant pastor at Our Lady of Hungary Church, Northampton. The new pastor immediately bought land at Fifth and Coplay streets for $4,200 from Carl Meyle, and an additional tract at the same location was donated to the fledging parish by Louis Schneider of Northampton.

On July 4, 1927 the first Mass was held outdoors on the church grounds. The cornerstone for St. Peter's Church and the combination building was laid and dedicated Oct. 30, 1927 by Cardinal Dougherty, archbishop of Philadelphia. More than 6,000 people were present at the program, which included three bands.

The first Mass was celebrated inside July 1, 1928, with Ostheimer serving as the celebrant at the Solemn High Mass.

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart had apartments on the building's third floor and taught boys and girls, grades 1-8.

Among the memorable events held at the building over the years are student plays as on the third floor, movies featuring Margaret O' Brien and Shirley Temple, Scout and society meetings in the basement and the large cast iron bells ringing for Mass and at special times of the day.

With a growing congregation, St. Peter's moved out of the first floor of the combination building into a new church erected next door, with the first Mass celebrated there June 28, 1964.

Later St. Peter's School merged with parishes in Egypt and Stiles, creating Christ the King School, which eventually merged with Our Lady of Hungary to form Good Shepherd Catholic School.