Immaculate Conception Church — Local services in Jim Thorpe

Today is 10/18/2025 and my wife and children drove up to Jim Thorpe to celebrate the last weekend of Jim Thorpe’s fall festival. Obviously the parking is tight and we were searching for a place to park our van. My wife approached the parking attended who was hostile, dismissive and obviously did not to allow my family to park at this space. We presume because we are an African American family. We were advised that the lot was full, however cars were pulling out. When my wife pointed this fact out, we were advised by her gentleman that he can not hold a spot. We protested and advised that this isn’t really making sense as our car is less than one block away and why can’t we just pay while my son secured the vehicle.

The attendant barked at my family and advised that we better “ hurry up”. I am a 50 year old man at this community event with my wife and 4 children and this aggressive and disrespectful man attempted to dehumanize and disrespect my family. I advised that I am a lifelong Catholic, 12 years of Catholic School and was an alter server for my elementary and high school. All of my children are Catholic educated and practicing. I expressed that his behavior and presentation does not exemplify the love of Christ or a welcoming spirit to guess visiting this community. The assailant choose to escalate the matter by advising that the parking was no longer available and we should leave.

A female attendant came over and attempted to change the subject when I requested to speak with a manager indicating that he was in charge. She was pleasant but offered no apology or attempt to address the rouge staff.

As a fellow Catholic, I was mortified at the lock of humanity and the attempt to eliminate my families ability to purchase the service.

I suspect that African Americans are not welcome in this church community which is so disheartening. I will be following up with Catholic Diocesan of Allentown on Monday to file a formal discrimination complaint. This is...

Haven’t been able to park by the church parking lot. The guy at the parking lot was so rude and wouldn’t even let me park. I had to let my family drop by and attend the mass while i had to look around. I come from a place where i don’t miss Sunday mass and i had to miss it because of this guy. He was letting other cars enter the parking lot and said the lot was full. It was not!!!!! Ruined...

Beautiful church founded in the 1800s in scenic Jim Thorpe, PA. Lovely architecture and well-kept building in which to worship. Their stained glass windows are a work of art and a beacon to...