The Carbon-Schuylkill Industrial Development Corporation wants to support the transformation of a Lansford church into an events center.

The board met Thursday at Maculuso’s Restaurant, electing new officers and welcoming two new members, as well as guests, George Haleem and Mike Klaips, who purchased the former St. Michael the Archangel Church complex last year.

The business partners envision the 112-year-old Gothic-style church on East Abbott Street as cultural or performing arts center and special events venue, where people could continue to celebrate milestones in their lives.

The partners, doing business as Mauch Chunk Holdings LLC, also want to use the rectory and school as upscale rentals, which would be used to support the venue.

A bridal party, for instance, could stay in the 6,500 square-foot rectory, while those traveling in for a wedding could rent units in the former school, they said.

But for right now, the partners are working on getting the rectory ready as a whole-house rental, suitable for families vacationing in the area, they told CSIDC board members.

This would allow them to start generating income and fund the work on the church, a soon-to-be events center, which is the second phase of the project, they explained.

They’ve already put new roofs on the massive structures and work on an internal gutter system, they said, and cleared out furniture and other stuff left behind by a former owner.

The work has come with challenges and blessings, said Klaips. Crews found old wiring underneath newer looking connections, forcing them to make a decision to install all new electrical.

But in tearing out the walls, they’ve also uncovered brick walls and an archway which they plan to leave exposed and incorporate into the design, he said.

Both Klaips and Haleem have backgrounds in upscale hospitality property, as well as historical properties. They plan to showcase the church’s history in the area with items they’ve uncovered.

Once the rectory is completed and operating, the partners will move to the second phase, which is the church and events center. The third phase will be renovating the school into rentals, they said.

The rectory could be ready as soon as late spring or early summer, they said.

Incoming CSIDC President Christopher Ondrus, who is from Lansford, said it was a sad day when he and his family learned that St. Michael’s would no longer be a church.

Now, there is a plan for the church complex, which meant so much to so many, and a future for the buildings, Ondrus said.

Board member Keith McCall, a former state representative and House speaker, believed that organization should support the project, and see what the group could do to help it succeed.

The CSIDC, which began as an industrial and economic development group for the Panther Valley in the 1950s, shifted to heritage tourism, supporting projects such as the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, said Richard Forgay II, executive director.

The organization today is focused on representing its core communities of Lansford, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning and Coaldale, and making them attractive and supportive of current and new businesses, and being the center link for historical, recreational and community-based hospitality between Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua, he said.

The organization also elected officers for 2024-25, and welcomed new members Joseph Pilla and John McFadden. In addition to Ondrus being elected unanimously, also serving are Russel King as treasurer, Attorney Joseph Velitsky, as solicitor, and Forgay as executive director.

The board pledged its support to Klaips and Haleem’s project and encouraged them to keep the lines of communication open.

“Even though we meet quarterly, that in no way should hold up any and all support we can provide in this vital community project,” said Forgay, a lifelong Lansford resident.