Client: Neilltown Church
Location: 2638 Neilltown Road, Pleasantville, PA
Dates: Original building — 1842; Renovation complete — 2010
Size: 1880 SF
This Greek Revival-style, wooden post and beam structure was built in 1842 for the Concord Presbyterian Church on land donated by the family of one of the area’s earliest settlers, William Neill. The church’s exterior was renovated in 2010 with Jeff Kidder as the project architect. This exterior restoration project included roof replacement, reinforcement of the north wall, and repair and refinishing of the church’s original front doors. Extensive damage to the structure was discovered, requiring an emergency loan from Preservation Pennsylvania Inc. to help fund bracing and replacing rotten timber and reinforcement of the foundation. Additional work included painting, woodwork restoration and repair, updated flooring, improved accessibility, and all new electrical.
Although the church thrived from the 1890s until the 1920s, regular services dwindled and had altogether ceased by 1945. After a period of disuse, the building fell into disrepair. A restoration committee was created in 1969 and replaced the church’s flooring. Additional renovations were made in 1974.
The building was acquired by the Neilltown Cemetery Association in 1983. Despite the early restoration efforts, the church was scheduled for demolition by 2004, when the Oil Heritage Region Inc. purchased the property for $1. Two years later, the building was added to the Preservation Pennsylvania Inc. list of most endangered properties in 2006.
