The rectory of a landmark church in Lansford now serves as a full-functioning short-term rental that can accommodate individuals or small groups.

An open house was held recently at The Sanctuary, Accommodations and Events for the Melrose Manor. The Sanctuary is located in what was once the rectory of the former St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, in the 100 block of East Abbott Street.

Extensive remodeling occurred to the former rectory. It now contains nine bedrooms and sleeps 22. It also features a spa room, game room with a pool table, and fully stocked kitchen. The bedrooms have linens, towels and other bedding furnished.

The Sanctuary opened for business in September, and recently gave an open house tour to local and county officials, members of the Carbon County Chamber & Economic Development and the Carbon-Schuylkill Industrial Development Corp.

The rectory, church and school were purchased by Marian and Michael Klaips of Lancaster, and Mary and George Hallem of Philadelphia, partners of Mauch Chunk Holdings LLC. The renovation of the rectory is phase one of a three-phase project that involves extensive restoration of the church and school.

Marian Klaips said the partners own numerous Airbnbs, including the historic Londonerry Inn near Hershey and an inn in the Adirondacks in Lake George, New York.

Projects by them are designed for larger families that could include children, parents and grandparents, or for small groups.

“Everybody can stay in here and be comfortable, Klaips said.

She said phase one is complete and the facility is listed on both the Airbnb and Vrbo websites.

Phase two, which is currently underway, includes 14 additional units including three-bedroom rentals. Some of the bathrooms will have Jacuzzi tubs or spacious, walk-in showers.

Klaip said she has been in the real estate business for 11 years. Her husband has been in the business for nearly two decades.

She said the St. Michael’s project has a similar aspect to the Londonerry Inn. The Londonerry Inn is a 200-year-old building “and I’ve never seen anything as solid as that.”

The gothic-style, granite St. Michael’s Church was built in 1908, replacing one that was built in the late 1800s and burned. In that fire, “only the Nativity was saved,” said Lansford resident Bob Pavlik, who toured the remodeling project. He said the school was built in 1906. He recalls CYO basketball games in the basement of the facilities in the 1950s.

St. Michael the Archangel was established in 1891. In July 2008, the name was changed to St. Katherine Drexel Roman Catholic Church as a result of the merger of several churches by the Diocese of Allentown. The church was closed by the diocese in 2016.

The guests who toured The Sanctuary were also shown the work being done on the former school and church. Walls are stripped, floors are being redone and assorted other major tasks are in progress.

The bottom floor of the church, or social hall, will have a new kitchen and bathrooms and is being designed for catering or various events.

Michael Klaips said an internal gutter system was installed due to water passing through.

Upstairs, the church will have many original features restored, including the magnificent pipe organ.

Rick Forgay, executive director of the CSIDC, said his children had attended the former St. Michael’s school.

“Seeing it in its original form, it’s a flashback,” Forgay said. “Seeing what it’s going to be, it’s inspiring.”

He is pleased that the partners took the reins and committed to remodeling the iconic structures.

“Knowing it could have been lost is very tragic,” he said.

Jade Washousky was impressed that many of the original features were preserved, including the old doors.

“This is really beautiful,” she said as she toured the site. “I’m glad they bought it.”

In a show of the county’s appreciation for the investment and commitment to the preservation of the historic Lansford facility, county Commissioner Michael Sofranko gave a certificate of appreciation to the developers. He said at one time every ethnic group in Lansford had its own church. St. Michael’s was the church for Slovaks, he said. When he handed the certificate to the developers, he said “gratulujem,” which means congratulations in the native Slovak tongue.

Forgay recalled when Lansford had 14 churches. Today there are fewer than half that many.