PENN TWP — Concordia Lutheran Ministries has purchased a 134-acre parcel in Penn Township that included a popular wedding venue.

The building known as The Mansion was included in the sale from the Raymond Lassinger Family Trust and their company, Associated Ceramics and Technology.

The Lassinger family also made a donation of more than $1 million to Concordia after the sale, according to Keith E. Frndak, Concordia Lutheran Ministries president and CEO.

“Our gift is an expression of gratitude for the excellent comfort and care given to my wife, my father and my mother during their stays at Concordia,” Raymond Lassinger said.

Frndak said Concordia started from a donation of land from a family that believed in its mission.

“We are so thankful to the Lassinger family and Associated Ceramics and Technology Inc., for continuing that tradition,” Frndak said. “It's a beautiful historic building.”

Frndak said The Mansion, located at 144 Mansion Lane, near the Succop Nature Park, is a nice addition to the Concordia list of properties, which includes the Middlesex Elementary School acquired by the company in February.

The building brings its operating costs, which Frndak said will need to be evaluated. He said Concordia isn't sure if it will continue offering to host weddings in the building, but any weddings that have already been scheduled will still take place. “Part of the commitment we made to the Lassingers is to honor the marriages that are scheduled through the next year,” Frndak said.

Frndak said the focus of the purchase was actually the land, rather than The Mansion.

“The bottom line is 134 acres on three roads,” he said.

Frndak said the frontage along Route 8 will attract a lot of attention from passers-by. He said the space also allows for construction of new facilities, though what might be developed there is unclear at this time.

“We always look at prime pieces of real estate where we can build toward our mission,” he said. “We serve people with high quality services in a Christian atmosphere.”

Frndak said Concordia did not enter the transaction with a plan in mind for The Mansion, but the idea is for the company to incorporate the building into its system.

“We look forward to exploring opportunities at this property to grow our mission,” Frndak said. “It's a community treasure, and we want to respect it as such.”