A converted church in Johnstown, the Grand Halle on Broad Street, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this week. 

The Steeples Project bought the Grand Halle and two other vacant churches in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown in 2011. The former Immaculate Conception Church and several other churches in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown closed in 2009.

In 2012, the Steeples Project converted the former Immaculate Conception Church into a concert and event venue. 

“Our purpose is not just to save old churches. Our purpose is to take these beautiful, architecturally significant buildings and find new uses for them that add to the community’s quality of life,” said Dave Hurst, the project manager for the Steeples Project.

“We see an artistic renewal in Cambria City and we want to be a part of that,” said Kim Rauch, Grand Halle Program Director.

The 5th anniversary will celebrate the success of the Grand Halle as well as the efforts of the Steeples Project to save other historic churches in the area.

“It’s our civic responsibility to save a building like this. Once it was closed, what was to become of it? It could have just deteriorated,” said Rauch.

The Steeples Project also plans to transform the old Saint Columba Church on Broad Street by turning it into a theater arts venue. The group is currently working with an architect to determine how much the project will cost.

Money raised at Grand Halle’s 5th anniversary celebration will help fund that project and other improvements.

“When you look around we need a lot of sprucing up: paint, plaster, taking care of physical needs. I think we need more promotion. We need someone to look out for us and help us get grant money to fund these big projects we’re dreaming about.,” Rauch said.

Dreams they said are possible with hard work and a little music.

“In some ways, it’s been a struggle in other ways it’s been a real joy. It’s been fulfilling to see this building come back to life,” Hurst said.

Friday, August 11 there will be a roaring 1920s-themed gala to kick off the celebration with dinner and a performance by area high school students.

On Saturday, August 12 there will be free concerts for the public. For more information on the anniversary events, visit the Grand Halle’s website.