Public to get October tour of updated Ligonier Heritage United Methodist community building

Several organizations that use the community building at Ligonier’s Heritage United Methodist Church have returned since the two-story structure received a $1.4 million update over the summer.

In October, the public will get to see the revamped 1961 building.

To avoid large gatherings during the covid-19 pandemic, the formal dedication will be repeated in each of three weekend services — at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 and at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Oct. 18. Some pews have been taped off to maintain social distancing.

Masks will be required for tours of the building and fellowship hall during an open house from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 18.

Announced along with a capital campaign in 2016, the upgraded community building was to have been dedicated May 31. Construction began last October, but the pandemic shut down work from mid-March through May 1.

According to Tom Shearer, chairman of the church’s finance and capital campaign committees, the church held off on adding a third floor. “It would have taken another $800,000, and we were not able to do that,” he said.

The project included improving the electrical capacity, adding energy-efficient windows and dealing with foundation moisture problems.

Most importantly, the renovation added features to make the building easier to access for those with disabilities, namely an elevator and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

A new southern entrance, on Cherry Street, is designed for handicapped access, with a button that can be pushed to open the door. An internal ramp now can be used to reach the fellowship hall.

Shearer said the church upgraded internet service and installed new electronic screens and media players for use during group meetings and a youth game night.

The majority of the work was completed by June 30, with some remaining in the lounge kitchen.

“We had a soft opening to let groups come back and use it as they wish,” he said. “The whole purpose of redoing the building was so that it could continue to be available for community use.”

Community groups can use the building at no charge, Shearer said.

The local Meals on Wheels program, which had temporarily relocated to the Valley Youth Network barn, on the western border of Ligonier, is back operating at the improved Heritage United Methodist building.

Other groups that have returned, according to church secretary Beth Lenhart, include a cancer support group and Alcoholics Anonymous. To promote social distancing, Cub Scouts who use the building will meet outdoors as long as weather permits.

A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and officials with the Union Mission men’s shelter in Latrobe have begun to hold meetings there.

Bible study sessions, open to the public, are held at the community building at 1o a.m. Thursdays, and a Red Cross blood drive is set from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23.

The church’s outreach committee will use the building for a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9 and 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 — during the same weekend when a virtual version of the town’s annual Fort Ligonier Days is scheduled.

Visit ligonierhumc.org for more information about the church and its outreach programs.