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Bank plans to build on former church location

MUNCY — A four-story banking center, which is slated to house a full-service bank as well as administrative offices is planned by the Muncy Bank and Trust Company on land purchased in South Williamsport.

The proposed construction will be on the site of the former Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Kevin’s Place and an adjacent nutrition center, according to Rob Glunk, President and CEO of the bank.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2022.

“We are excited to be expanding our footprint in the South Williamsport/Williamsport market,” Glunk said. “As a community-focused financial institution, we believe our relationship-based philosophy will meet the personal and business needs of the community.”

Although the headquarters and operations center for the company will remain in Muncy, Glunk noted that the company was out-growing that space. The new facility will offer a full array of financial services, including traditional banking, E-banking, residential mortgage and commercial lending and investment services.

“Having a building closer to the Lycoming County seat will us to better serve customers already in the Williamsport/South Williamsport market area and be a great addition to the bank’s footprint,” Glunk stated.

He noted that the new construction will serve as a gateway building to the borough.

When completed, plans are to hire 15 additional employees. The bank is also expected to move current employees who live in the area or have worked in the local market to the new location.

Steven Cappelli, South Williamsport’s borough Manager said that the bank’s move would “be a catalyst for future development in the Market Street and Hastings Street corridor.”

The bank currently has eight branch offices, including ones locally at Montoursville and Linden.

Since it is still in the early planning stages, no cost was given for the new construction.

Because of the historical nature of the church which will be razed for the construction, Glunk said that the banking company has been working closely with the church, the Lycoming County Historical Society and South Williamsport Borough to ensure that any historical items from the church can be saved. He noted that the historical society has expressed an interest in the church’s cornerstone which dates back to 1908, when it was the site of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church announced earlier this month that the decision to sell the property was made in order to construct a new church and school at the site of the current school on Fleming Street in the borough. That project will entail the church sanctuary as well as offices and classrooms, the school and a gymnasium. The total cost is expected to exceed $2 million.

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