Franklin Preservation will hold a Divine Intervention Party from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 Park Way in the Miller Park section of Franklin. The party is a fundraiser for the organization’s
restoration of the Old Lutheran Church.
The evening will feature keyboardist and vocalist Nathaniel Licht. Licht won the Taste of Talent vocal competition in Franklin in 2014. He served as a judge for the competition this year. He has been performing publicly since he was 6 years old. He also plays the organ and has served as an organist for several local churches.
Guest will also be treated to drinks and savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres, event organizers said.
Admission is by donation and the event is open to the public.
The Old Lutheran Church, located at Buffalo and 11th streets in Franklin, is Franklin Preservation’s current project. Built in 1886, as the Evangelical German Lutheran Friedens Church, the
church building is the one of the best examples of “Stick Victorian” architecture in Franklin. The preservation association’s goal is to not only restore the building, but also to make it part of the community once again by reusing it for public and private functions, art exhibits, concerts and for use by non-profit organizations.
Through a grant from the Oil Region Alliance, Franklin Preservation has prepared a detailed plan for restoring the building in three phases.
The first phase of the plan addresses the most pressing issues to secure the building from the elements and prevent further deterioration. This phase includes new electrical service and lighting, foundation repairs, replacing damaged framing and siding and broken glass.
In addition, major roof repairs and new gutters and downspouts will be part of the first phase. The estimated cost for this phase of the restoration is $97,950. The restoration has commenced with
the removal of two stained glass windows, which will be restored this winter.
Those who cannot attend the Divine Intervention Party, but would like to make a donation, may send a check to Franklin Preservation, P.O. Box 866, Franklin, 16323.
