In 1901, Bethlehem Steel magnate Charles M. Schwab gifted the borough of Weatherly with a massive school building as a gesture of thanks to the community where his wife was raised.

“It was given to the town so we should be using it for the town,” said Dawn Bellizia, president of the group formed to save the school.

And while that continues to be the intent of the C.M. Schwab School Restoration Project, time is taking its toll on the building, and the group believes one of the only ways to preserve it is to sell it.

“At this point, we just need someone who is reliable who can take it and help us out,” Bellizia said.

After putting its meetings on hold for the COVID-19 pandemic, the board reconvened Monday to discuss the future of the school and ways to restart fundraising efforts.

The goal was to transform the school into a community center.

“That was our original plan. At this point, I would do anything right now if we could do that. If we could get the funds to do that, that would be fantastic,” she said.

But the major issue with the massive structure is a leaking roof. Although repairs have been made, Bellizia said leaks continue to sprout.

Water is damaging the building’s interior.

“With the roof leaking. It’s tough. You go back two days later (after patching) and it’s a mess again, with stuff falling off the walls,” she said.

There isn’t an exact figure on a roof replacement but Bellizia guessed that it could cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Bellizia doubts the group’s fundraising efforts will be enough.

“We were just discussing general avenues to have someone take the building or buy it or someone that would be willing to take it and remodel it for their uses,” she said.

The school housed kindergarten to 12th grades until it closed in 1991. Six years later, an out-of-state buyer purchased the property from the Weatherly Area School District.

When it fell into disrepair and went on the market in 2017, the volunteer group raised $50,000 to purchase it. Ownership was transferred to the Weatherly borough.

Soon thereafter, contractors did some roof patching, replaced windows, restored a front door and got the property’s clock working once again.

The board will continue its fundraising efforts and the borough continues to seek grants.

“The big thing is trying to get the fundraising and get the public involved to see if we can get more donations toward that roof,” she said. “We need the public’s help to save this.”

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 18 at the Silver Ridge Hunt Club. The public is invited.

Donations may be mailed to the C.M. Schwab School Restoration Project, P.O. Box 150, Weatherly, PA, 18255.