LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— It's a trend across the country and here in NEPA. More and more churches are closing.
But some entrepreneurs are using creative ways to keep the abandoned structures functional.
Saint Adalbert's church is the last Roman Catholic church in Newport Township, and just last week, they announced they'll be closing their doors.
St. Adalbert's church in Newport Township is the latest in a string of churches in NEPA to announce it will close it's doors. Church officials say it will close next January.
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There's no word yet on what might become of this more than 200-year-old building, but some people have ideas on how to make the best use of its space.
"Keeping the story of architecture like that alive is super important because, you know what it is, it's a conversation, owning a church has been nothing but a conversation for me," stated Josh Balz, entrepreneur.
Local entrepreneur, Josh Balz, purchased his church in Pittston roughly five years ago.
The former St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church opened in the early 1900's.
After its closure in 2008, the building sat empty until Balz converted it into a sprawling 14,000 square foot living space.
"It was like love at first sight. I fell in love with it, I fell in love with Pittston, and I fell in love with the church at the same time," voiced Balz.
Just across the river, in Exeter, another example of the potential these buildings hold.
The former Saint Cecilia's Catholic Church was recently purchased by the Luzerne County Historical Society.
"There's been a lot of, you know, community activity here over the years. So everybody, you know, is happy to see the church saved and us to kind of take it into the future," said Michelle Knight, executive director, Luzerne County Historical Society.
The original church was built in 1902. It burned down in the 70's but was soon rebuilt.
The society plans to use the space as a museum, research library, and community center, all under one roof, preserving history and displaying it at the same time.
"To keep those buildings intact is really, you know, kind of makes the community feel like we have a history and we have a sense of belonging," expressed Knight.
Knight tells me the historical society won't have the building up and running for a few years. As for Balz, he's selling his church, but hopes the next owner appreciates it just as much as he does.
