The Middletown Lutheran Church turns to community for preservation help to fund the renovation of its front pillars. Members of the church are showing support to help restore the church.

“I think if the church turns to the community, it’ll be a good way to get money because people care about the church,” said Ann Duncan, former member of the Middletown Lutheran Church.

The church needs $92,000 and they’ve already raised more than $54,000. The pillar restoration is planned for the spring of 2019 and they want to change the brick siding and sealing on the church’s stained-glass windows as well.

Kathy Hoffman, a pastor of the church, said, “We know $92,000 is a lot of money,” but they trust in getting the all money because, “the community is completely immersed in the project.”

The emblematic Zion Lutheran church, located on Main Street in Middletown, was built in 1859 and was used as a hospital during the civil war.

Jay Harsch, MHS senior and member of the church, said, “It’s a very old building that has served as a hospital, I think it’s a good idea to turn to the community and I think the church is going to get all the money.”