The former Dutilh United Methodist Church building was bought by Mars borough in December 2019. Council heard a proposal Monday, April 17, from two women who want to create a community center there. Butler Eagle File Photo

A plan to turn the former Dutilh United Methodist Church building, now owned by Mars borough, into a community center was presented at the council meeting Monday, April 17.

Bonnie Forsythe, borough secretary/treasurer, and Amy Brown, assistant secretary, presented their plan to council for the building at 525 Pittsburgh St., which they would name The Church on Pittsburgh.

The women propose renting the space from the borough; prices have yet to be determined.

According to an informational flyer, Forsythe presented to council, the community center would be a place “where community members will have the opportunity to celebrate, to learn, and to gather.”

Some potential activities for all ages would be art classes, craft classes such as macrame and jewelry making, gardening, puppy/kitten yoga, dance classes, first aid and CPR instruction through the American Red Cross, bingo nights and lectures as well as private events such as birthday parties and baby showers.

“Teaching young people how to use money right now seems to be a huge challenge in this world,” Forsythe said when talking about offering life skills classes.

The goal would be to become a fixture in the community, the women told borough council.

“We think that it will lay a foundational block for revitalization,” Forsythe said. “We think that people coming into town and coming to events or classes or anything held in the building could draw business to the business owners in town as well.”

According to Forsythe, if the council were to accept their plan and renovations were started immediately, the community center could be ready for classes and events as early as this fall.

Some repairs are needed before the entire building could be used for events and classes. The women noted water damage to the roof and soffit need fixed, and the entrances need to be made handicapped-accessible.

The borough purchased the church in December 2019, and discussion on how to use the space has been ongoing.

“We both would like to try and make something like this work,” Forsythe said.