A piece of Millheim’s history faces an uncertain future, and members of the Penns Valley borough community are hoping to restore it to its former glory.
The 140-year-old town clock hasn’t operated in decades, and now the tower in which it resides at 117 Penn Street is in danger of no longer being able to physically support timepiece, according to the Valley Business Alliance.
A fundraiser event to support the restoration of the clock and tower will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 16 at American Legion Post 444, 112 Legion Lane in Millheim.
While the borough commissioned the clock in 1885, it is housed in the tower of what is now Calvary Penns Valley. The church was previously home to St. Luke’s Methodist for well over a century, then a cultural center, prior to Calvary.
Robert Zeigler, president of the Valley Business Alliance and a Millheim Borough Council member, said it’s unclear who actually owns the clock.
“Our staff went through some records and from what we can tell, the Millheim Borough owns the clock mechanisms itself, but the structure is the property of the Calvary Church,” Zeigler said in a statement. “It comes down to who is responsible to fix what, but I hope to do my part to ensure we can restore a bit of history.”
Over the decades, the clock and tower have fallen into disrepair and concerns about the tower structure have grown.
“I would love for us to be able to restore the clock and tower to its original condition,” Calvary Penns Valley Pastor Stacy Sublett said in a statement. “But as a small congregation, we simply don’t have the funds to make the necessary repairs to the structure.”
The March 16 fundraiser is part of an effort to raise the funds for necessary repairs to the structure, ultimately get the clock running again and restore one of the highest points in town. The event will include eat-in or take-out for a St. Patrick’s Day-themed meal, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, music by the Miss Melanie Duo and more.
“We’re trying to provide a bit of everything for everyone, from adults to kids,” Sublett said. “We also have a table with a local historian to share some of the history of Millheim and the clock tower.”
The recommended donation to attend the event is $10. Anyone interested in donating items for the silent auction should contact Zeigler by email at welovethevalley@gmail.com or by calling 717-262-3530.
Tax-deductible donations for the clock tower project can also be made by check to Calvary Church, 201 Harvest Fields Drive, Boalsburg, PA 16827.
