The Unitarian Universalist Church at Center Street and Wall Street will get some of its bricks replaced to restore the weather integrity of the church.

According to the church's capital projects committee member Phil DePietro, the south wall of the red-brick structure has so many damaged and deteriorated bricks that the timber structure underlying the brick is exposed.

"Some water has penetrated into the building," said DePietro when he brought the issue before the Historic Archetectural Review Board April 2.

He estimated that 600 to 900 bricks will need to be replaced. He said that previous efforts to preserve the wall with a silicone sealant had trapped moisture and hastened deterioration of the wall.

The church officials said the Unitarian church bought the building in 1995. It was built in 1869 by the Wesley Methodist Church according to the church's website.

Bethlehem City Council approved the HARB's recommendation on April 16.

The church officials said they have selected Machemer Construction Inc. of Allentown for the job.