MILLHEIM — For the better part of 140 years, the Millheim town clock has kept more than time. It has been a landmark, a gathering point and a quiet reminder of how deeply this corner of Penns Valley values its history. But the clock tower that rises above Penn Street faces long-overdue repairs and a small coalition of residents is trying to bring it back to full strength.
The effort, led in part by Millheim Borough Councilman Robert Zeigler and supported by Calvary Penns Valley Pastor Stacy Sublett, has become one of those uniquely local projects that say more about a community than any spreadsheet or grant report ever could. It’s part preservation, part promise-keeping and, at its core, part reaffirmation of what happens when neighbors decide a piece of their shared story is worth fighting for.
Zeigler said his commitment to restoring the clock tower began years ago when longtime resident Carl Roach approached him about the need for repairs. Roach has since passed away, but Zeigler never let go of the promise he made.
“It’s the only thing I’ve promised that I haven’t fulfilled yet,” he told me. “And because I’m wired the way I am, I can’t let it go.”
The building itself dates to 1884, when it opened as a Methodist church before later becoming a cultural center and eventually Calvary Penns Valley. The clock was fully operational in 1886. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, its height made it a natural backdrop for early photographs of Millheim. Long before smartphones, it was how residents kept track of their day.
But age, weather and time have worn away at the tower’s façade. The clock mechanisms, Zeigler said, are surprisingly sound and largely restorable. The real challenge lies in stabilizing the exterior structure, repairing deteriorated sections and making the tower safe for crews to access the clock again.
That work isn’t cheap. The borough has raised roughly $4,000 of what could eventually become a $30,000 investment. That is a figure that positions Millheim to pursue grants and competitive bids. Part of the complexity comes from the property’s ownership structure: Calvary Penns Valley owns the building, while the borough owns the clock itself. That arrangement requires cooperation on access, bidding and long-term maintenance.
Despite challenges, Zeigler said the support so far has been heartening. Sublett has seen similar interest among congregants.
“We want the building to be safe. We want the building to look nice,” he said.
People are what guides much of the church’s role in Millheim. The building hosts an open mic night every Friday after the event lost its previous venue. Sublett said he overheard the musicians worrying over coffee and immediately offered the space: “I have a building,” he told them. “You’re welcome to come use it.”
That posture speaks to the broader hope behind the clock tower project. It isn’t just about repairing gears or replacing rotted wood. It’s about preserving a symbol that has quietly anchored Millheim for generations and doing it in a way that reflects the values of the town today.
Zeigler said volunteers are ready to handle some of the internal clock work at little or no labor cost. The façade and structural needs will require professional contractors. Donations can be made to Millheim Borough, P.O. Box 421, Millheim, PA 16854, with “Clock Tower Repairs” written in the memo line.
For a community that prides itself on generosity, the clock tower may end up being the rare project that brings everyone to the same table. As Zeigler put it, “It’s a way to preserve the past and show what we can still do together.”
If Millheim succeeds, the old clock will run again. Not just on gears and gravity, but on the steady heartbeat of a community that refuses to let its history fall silent.
