It began as a simple roofing job.

But with old buildings, especially one from 1850, Murphy’s Law can come into play.

And sure enough, that’s what happened at the old Welsh Congregational Church.

“We were tearing off shingles and saw major damage,” said Bruce Markovich of the Lansford Historical Society.

“We’re lucky it’s even standing. We have to jack up the back. We have jack up the basement.”

The damage is so substantial, he said, that it’s considered existential to the structure.

So they called in emergency help.

“We’re here to stabilize it and stop the water from coming in,” said contractor Francis Hutta II of Franics J. Hutta Builders, Coaldale, as his work crew began their shift early Friday.

Sometimes called the “Old Welsh Church on West Abbott Street,” the structure hearkens back to the early settlers and their culture and religion.

“It’s the second oldest Welsh Congregational Church in Pennsylvania,” said Markovich.

So much rich history, they say. Local history, of course. But even national, too.

In fact, in 1865, the church held a memorial service for Abraham Lincoln attended by more than 1,000 residents.

Unique

Construction began on the corner location along in 1849. Historians say some of the timber used was already 100 years old.

In other words, the wood came from trees still standing when George Washington was president and Indians roamed the valley.

Markovich said the church was initially nondenominational. Catholics and Protestants used the same building.

The structure also served as Lansford’s first school.

In 1869 the church overcame a special challenge. Because of difficulties with the Welsh language, some members saw a need for an English liturgy and asked that a service be conducted in English.

They were refused. So they decided to break away and form a new church, called the English Congregational Church of Lansford.

In later years, other members and their descendants became founders and members of area Protestant churches.

Bill Harleman, president of the Lansford Historical Society, emphasized the strategic role the church played in helping to establish faith communities.

He called the church “one of the most historical buildings of the valley.”

Perhaps most unusual, the church never had indoor plumbing. Instead, the congregation used an outhouse.

Commandeered

In August 1902, the church became temporary headquarters for the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment of state militia during the Great Anthracite Coal Strike.

During the Spanish Flu of 1918, the church was used as a hospital.

Then, in 2009, the building survived a fully involved structure fire fought by five fire departments from two counties. The blaze roared for five hours. Yet when firefighters finally entered the place they were surprised to find damage less severe than anticipated.

That result was eye-opening. Some even say miraculous, given that the building never had running water and its timber is dry as a bone.

Preservation

The church hosted its centennial celebration on Dec. 26, 1950. But age was taking a toll.

The building finally underwent restoration beginning June 4, 1985, with reactivation of a centennial committee.

More than $34,000 was raised to bring the place back to original condition.

The hardworking group of volunteers, The Welsh Congregational Church Preservation Society, organized a restoration ceremony on Aug. 17, 1986.

The group also published a thorough, 48-page printed program detailing early history and re-emergence of Lansford’s most time honored house of worship.

Finally, in 2018, the group conveyed the church deed to the Lansford Historical Society.

But weather has taken a toll. The current work, Markovich said, will save the place from the wrecking ball.

He said no grant money or tax dollars are being used in the project. It is solely an undertaking of the historical society.

However, the project is part of a broader Lansford revitalization program that includes the No. 9 Mine, the Lansford train station and St. Michael’s Church.

The society is seeking donations to help defray cost. Those interested can call 570-617-4683.

Markovich said the goal is to preserve the building’s strength and integrity so that the resource, and its rich heritage, can be passed to future generations.

“It’s been standing for 173 years. It deserves to stand 173 more.”