In the Diocese of Scranton, efforts are underway to turn a former church in Hazleton into something that will once again serve the community.
Workers are busy inside the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Hazleton. The Catholic house of worship closed nearly three years ago and sat empty until now.
When the renovations are complete, the building will once again serve the community.
"You have a building that served the spiritual needs of individuals and families and now we're taking it to another level," said Neil Oberto of Catholic Social Services.
Plans call for the former church to house a community center to help people.
"It could be parenting skills, it could be looking at economic job issues, it could be looking at relationships within families. So everything we would need to do to build up individuals and families," Oberto added.
The basement area, once the place where parish events such as dinners were held, will serve as an expanded education and day care program for children.
Officials said they are trying to preserve as much of the church and its heritage, including the altar.
"It's very important for us to again respect that heritage and that faith life that was practiced for over 100 years," said Oberto.
Jeff Blasius is one of the contractors working on the former church. He helped renovate his church in Northumberland County.
"That's very important to me. I love the old architecture, the way it was built, the time it took, the craftsmanship that was involved in it," Blasius said.
Catholic Social Services officials hope the work will be complete by this spring so the former church can once again serve the community.