PABERKS-L Archives

From: Bonnie Blau <>
Subject: [PABERKS] From the Historical Society of Berks County
Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 07:47:25 -0800

Thisis from the email newsletter of the Historical Society of Berks
County:

5- About a year ago we reported that the old, frame, former
Evangelical church in Albany Twp. near Eckville, “Bolich’s Church,”
was in very bad condition. The little cemetery behind it is in
somewhat better condition--but it needs work and few are left to
care for it.

Months ago, Albany Twp. commissioners took steps to have the
landmark demolished--for safety reasons, they stated. Soon
thereafter, an article appeared in the newspaper stating that
several men were planning to stabilize the structure, in which
case township officials would back off on the demolition order.

Two days ago we received an email from friend Bob Compton of
Breiningsville, a history buff and former reporter, who drove
by the site and sadly observed that....

“The church bell has slid out of the belfry and is lying on the
steep roof. It would have fallen to the ground if it had not
been jammed against a length of wooden debris up there.

“Nothing remains of the belfry but four uprights that, for some
reason, didn't fall with the rest of the structure.

“We reckon that the logjam will break up there some day amid a
layer of snow and ice, and the bell will come crashing down. Be
sure not to be standing on the east side of the church when that
happens!”

You who regularly watch the Society’s BCTV program may
recall that we presented a video overview of Bolich’s church and
the small cemetery directly behind it. Perhaps we should consider
re-showing that 15-min. tape sometime soon--for what might be
“a last look.”

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• [PABERKS] From the Historical Society of Berks County by Bonnie Blau <>