Shenandoah native Murphy, a longtime priest in the Lehigh Valley, dies
John Murphy
ALLENTOWN – Monsignor John Murphy, a Shenandoah native and longtime priest, has died, the Diocese of Allentown said in a statement Friday.
“The Diocese of Allentown has lost one of our most beloved priests,” Bishop Alfred Schlert said. “For 60 years, Monsignor John Murphy gave his life as a priest in service to the people entrusted to his pastoral care.
For more than four decades, he served as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Allentown, retiring in 2021.
“May God grant him the rewards of eternal life,” Schlert added.
Murphy was born and raised in Shenandoah, attending school at the former Annunciation and Shenandoah Catholic High.
He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained in 1964, first serving as assistant pastor and later pastor at Immaculate Conception BVM Parish in Allentown.
He was a former Director of CYO for Lehigh County and subsequently for the entire Allentown Diocese.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced at a later date.
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