LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A church will soon be up for auction in Luzerne County on Saturday.
The cornerstone at the former Plains United Methodist Church shows that the building in Plains Township has been here for more than 140 years. The church closed its doors late last year due to dwindling attendance, something auctioneer Michael Roan says he's seen a lot of since the pandemic.
"Before the pandemic, churches were hurting, and then after the shutdown, only 50% of people came back and then started a snowball effect," said Michael Roan, auctioneer at Roan Real Estate.
Since 2019, Roan has auctioned off 23 Methodist churches throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania.
"It's something you don't want to happen, but it's happening, so we put them out there, and we try to get the highest and best new use for them. A lot of them go to churches. Anyway, churches buy churches, mostly some other conversions happen," added Roan.
The former Plains United Methodist Church and the home next door are next.
"We're just selling one item, everything, real estate, and all the contents," said Roan.
The contents include the two-story-tall organ, the piano for the choir, the Bibles in the pews, the candlesticks, and more.
"There's a kitchen, and there's commercial kitchen items, and that's pretty much what's here."
Roan says there is something about this auction that makes it different from all the rest.
"That's the only church I've seen that has all black walnut, so that's what sticks out in my mind. That's a beautiful spot up on the hill here," added Roan.
The former Plains United Methodist Church will be auctioned on Saturday at 2 p.m. Bidding will start at $80,000.
For more on the church auction, click here.