Historical society is halfway to its goal of buying history-rich church

By Erin Remai
Herald Staff Writer

The Sharpsville Area Historical Society has two months and a little less than $30,000 to go before the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 131 N. Mercer Ave. in Sharpsville is in its possession.

Society president Gregg Smith announced at Monday’s meeting that the society has raised more than half of the money — $31,159 to be exact — it needs to buy the church. In March, the society signed a sales agreement with ERA Johnson Real Estate of Mercer to have the money by mid-July. Through various fund-raisers, including a canvas of the borough and surrounding communities, a “Preserve a Brick” campaign at the church and a street dance, the society raised $11,000 in two months, which it added to funds raised over the past four years.

“We’ve done that with the help of the community and the businesses,” said society member Donna Murray.

Now that the society has money and support, Smith said he hopes the message gets out that the members are determined to reach their goal.

“We want to let the community know we’re very serious,” Smith said. “Even though we’re a little over halfway we still have a lot of work to do.”

Upcoming events for the society include a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and bingo and a Chinese auction at 2 p.m. May 21. Both events will be at the Sharpsville VFW on Walnut Street. The society will also hold a cut-a-thon from 1 to 5 p.m. June 11 at Claudia and Company, 106 N. Mercer Ave. The salon will charge $5 for haircuts and donate all proceeds to the society. Mrs. Murray said society members will conduct another community canvas in the near future. Once the society owns the church, which was built in 1882 by the Pierce family, it will be able to apply for grants to cover any needed renovations, Smith said. The society will use the church as their headquarters and rent it out for weddings, showers, reunions and other community events. Society members said they want to encourage anyone who purchased a brick in the “Preserve a Brick” campaign to attend the society’s next meeting at 7 p.m. May 15 at Claudia and Company. Everyone who bought a brick received a one-year society membership.

The society is also accepting recipes for its upcoming ethnic cookbook. Sharpsville area residents can send their recipes to Cathy Haywood, 3974 Orangeville Road, Sharpsville, 16150 through the end of the month.

Society members said they are grateful for the community’s support and that they hope it continues.

“We want to thank everyone who has helped us so far and I invite the rest of you to join,” Mrs. Murray said.

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