Historic New Berlin Community Center restored to serve residents

The New Berlin Community Center, housed in the former Presbyterian church built in 1844, has been restored with support from public grants and local fundraising, returning a landmark to active community use. The borough reports that restoration funding included a Pennsylvania Museum & Historical Commission grant, backing from the Degenstein Foundation and a Community Development Block Grant, alongside community-led contributions.

The building’s rehabilitation preserves an element of Union County history while creating practical space for borough residents. Officials say the facility is available to rent for events and meetings, and that donations are still being accepted to help defray remaining restoration costs. Information on rental reservations and giving is listed through the borough’s community center resources; residents can contact the borough office or the community center for specifics on availability and fees.

Beyond heritage value, the center’s return has immediate public health and social implications for a rural community with limited shared indoor space. Community centers act as flexible venues for vaccination clinics, meal programs, mental health outreach, emergency sheltering during weather events and partner services from county health providers. Restoring this building increases local capacity to host programs that address social determinants of health - from food security to social connection for older adults - without forcing residents to travel long distances.

The mix of funding for the project highlights how federal, state and philanthropic dollars combine with local effort to sustain small-town infrastructure. Community Development Block Grant dollars reflect public investment in community assets that can support low- and moderate-income residents, while historic preservation funding from the state and private foundation support cultural continuity. For Union County, keeping the center viable means local groups, nonprofits and health partners have a dependable venue to plug program gaps quickly.

Equity remains central to next steps. The borough and community organizers will need to ensure scheduling, pricing and program outreach reflect the needs of low-income households, seniors and families without reliable transportation. That could mean prioritizing sliding-scale rental fees for charitable groups, coordinating with the county health department for mobile clinics and promoting accessible programming times.

The restored center is more than a brick-and-mortar victory; it’s a resource that can reduce isolation, bring services closer to home and strengthen emergency response. Our two cents? If you run a neighborhood group, health program or school organization, reach out to the borough to reserve space or explore partnerships. Residents who can give, even modestly, help keep this shared room available for everyone.