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The sanctuary and multi-purpose room of Sojourner Truth Ministries on High Street is being resurrected just in time for Easter.
There are warm tones of yellow paint being applied by men on scaffolding. Students and their instructors from the Pennsylvania College of Technology are aiding in repairing electrical problems.
The windows are being replaced to allow the sunlight to illuminate the stained glass works depicting Jesus praying.
"Happy spring! It's happening..." said Pastor Angelique Labadie-Cihanowz watching as the transformation of the interior of the nonprofit organization's headquarters at 501 High St. took place before her eyes this week.
"Thanks to a grant from Plankenhorn Foundation, our sanctuary/multipurpose room is getting a needed update," she said, as skilled laborers with Hamm Improvements and Pennsylvania College of Technology Electrical Department, its apprentice students and seasoned instructors offered their time for only the cost of materials for the lighting.
The organization provides up to 20,000 lunches a year for the food insecure in the city and region.
It has an after school program, where the children's homework is gone over and a Bible study is shared along with a meal.
The 15 volunteers and the pastor want to be welcoming to the community in need and others who want to see what the worship services are like.
The former High Street Methodist Church at 501 High St. was turned over to the organization for $1.
Over the years, the soup kitchen has been a respite for thousands of men and women. It is in an area of the city that is prepared to undergo changes for the better with the proposed Park Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Project, a proposal that has the backing of numerous stakeholders and City Council.
The Plankenhorn Foundation grant is restricted and meant for this sole purpose of restoring the facility, she said.