The bells of the former St. Michael the Archangel Church rang out late Wednesday afternoon as the owners of the church complex on East Abbott Street in Lansford welcomed guests.

George Haleem and Mike Klaips opened the doors of the church, school and rectory to members of the Carbon-Schuylkill Industrial Development Corporation and Lansford Alive.

The partners, doing business as Mauch Chunk Holdings LLC, purchased the 112-year-old Gothic-style church last year and plan to transform it into a performing arts center and special events venue.

They plan on turning the 6,500-square-foot rectory and attached school into short-term, upscale rentals to support the venue.

Haleem and Klaips initially focused their attention on stabilizing the historic property, which included new roofs on the massive structure and work on the internal gutter system, they said.

Sweeping changes

They also cleared out furniture and other items left behind by a previous owner, and then started on the first phase of the project, renovations to the rectory, which will be used as a whole house, short-term rental unit.

The partners, who have backgrounds in upscale hospitality and historical properties, believe the rectory will be attractive to families vacationing in the region or those planning a family reunion.

Throughout the renovations, they’ve opened walls and exposed brick walls and archways, Klaips said. They’ve turned a second-floor closet into an alcove with sweeping views of the borough, he said.

They also removed a non-historical awning above the front porch of the rectory, where a window above the large wooden door can be seen and highlighted.

“When you walk in, it’s going to be absolutely beautiful,” Klaips said, noting a chandelier will be added to the entryway. “We want to be authentic to the time frame, but we also want to have that feeling of elegance.”

The partners are embracing many of the old features of the home, such as hardwood floors, original wood trim and moldings, built-in cabinetry with sliding glass doors, a dining area with delicate chandeliers and vintage tile in the kitchen and baths.

But there will be new elements for comfort and convenience as well, Klaips said. The kitchen will see all new appliances with granite or quartz countertops, and an adjacent room will have dual washers and dryers.

The rectory will also have three full bathrooms, one on each floor; a game room with a pool table and foosball table, and a hot tub room, which will open up to a courtyard between the church and rectory, he said.

Spacious areas

The rectory will serve as a gathering spot for vacationing families with separate areas for everyone to relax, such as a family room in a front room, while the game rooms are in the back of the home, Klaips said.

“We want to give everyone their space,” he said. “You’re not crawling over each other. It’s going to encompass space for everybody.”

The rectory will have seven bedrooms with one on the first floor, which would be ideal for older family members who might have trouble with the stairs, Klaips said. A fireplace with an antique, mirrored mantel is a focal point in the main floor bedroom.

The bedrooms on the second and third floors have sweeping views to the north, or front of the property.

Upon opening walls and ceilings as part of the renovations, Klaips and Haleem found brick walls and archways as well as beautiful wood joists, which will remain exposed.

Next phase

The partners hope to have the rectory ready for Memorial Day weekend, allowing it to start generating revenue to support the next phase of the project, Klaips said. The partners are currently using all of the profits from their existing properties to support this project, he said.

Klaips and Haleem invested $700,000 in the purchase, preservation and initial renovations of the church complex.

The second phase involves the events center inside the church, which will make use of both levels. They’ve already gutted the kitchen in the basement, or ground level, and plan to install a new commercial kitchen to the rear, Klaips said.

Dark reddish carpeting has been removed from the church making the already sprawling structure seem even larger. Members of CSIDC and Lansford Alive wandered through the open space taking photographs, and going up to the choir loft.

Support

Richard E. Forgay II, CSIDC executive director, asked Klaips and Haleem if there was something the organization could support in the project, just as it helped lend its support to the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museums years ago.

Klaips said they are looking for support for work around the church’s steeple. Despite the work on the roof and gutters, water continues to infiltrate the church in that area, he said.

They have a firm, which did work on the church in the past, coming to examine what needs to be done, he said, and would appreciate any help finding or securing grants for preservation or tourism would be appreciated.

Forgay and the others praised the partners for the work they’ve done, as they have a plan and are forging ahead.

“We as a group are extremely impressed and inspired by their overall commitment, attention to every detail, their confident vision and track record of success as a result of their openness from our first conversation and at every point in the tour,” Forgay said.

Klaips and Haleem have a proven track record in transforming historical facilities into first-class hospitality accommodations and attractions, he said.

“The CSIDC is extremely enthused to provide early support of this major renovation project that will greatly benefit Lansford, the Panther Valley and our entire region for decades to come,” Forgay said.

Chris Ondrus, who serves as president of the CSIDC and Lansford Alive, said they applaud their efforts and fully support what they doing. Members were also impressed with the progress, he said.

“As a former student and parishioner of St. Michael’s, it is encouraging to see the vision they have for the future preservation of these buildings,” he said.

The partners are also grateful for the support from the community, the borough and neighbors surrounding the church, Haleem said.

“This is integral as we progress through the restoration and all the challenges that come with it,” he said. “This iconic property offers a unique setup allowing for events, overnight accommodation and parking, all in the same location.

“We look forward to opening our doors to cultural and performing arts event and offering a special events venue that would allow the community to continue to celebrate milestones,” Haleem said.