124 E Abbott St - The Sanctuary, Accommodations & Events 35,000 SF Specialty Building Offered at $1,644,648 CAD in Lansford, PA 18232

A once-in-a-lifetime offering on three contiguous parcels in the heart of historic Lansford Pennsylvania, this iconic property presents a rare opportunity to own an expansive, deeply historic, partially renovated, and development-ready compound with immediate income and future upside.
Spanning a former rectory, school building, and the majestic former St Michael the Archangel Church, this assemblage represents the best of adaptive reuse and heritage preservation combined with modern hospitality and event space potential. Lansford, a storied coal-region borough established in the early 1800s as part of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company’s Panther Creek Valley coal boom, is known for its rich architectural heritage and vibrant community identity.
Property Highlights
Completely Renovated Rectory Short-Term Rental:
The centerpiece of the parcel is the former St Michael the Archangel rectory, fully restored and thoughtfully transformed into a 9-bedroom, upscale short-term rental currently generating nearly $80,000 annually. This beautifully restored building celebrates period details while offering modern luxury and comfort, a turnkey hospitality asset with strong year-round demand.
Former school building Approved for 14 Loft-Style Hotel Apartments:
Adjacent stands the historic former middle school building, which has received municipal approval for conversion into 14 hotel-style loft apartments ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom units. This flexible footprint is ideal for extended stay guests, event attendees, or longer-term residential rental income. Zoning approval supports both long- and short-term rental use, maximizing revenue potential and offering diverse business models.
Stunning Gothic Revival Church Building:
Dominating the parcel, the former St Michael the Archangel Church, a 112-year-old Gothic-style limestone structure designed by architect Albert W Leh, commands attention with soaring interior volumes and historic presence. Originally serving as a vibrant Catholic parish for Slovak Catholics in the anthracite region, the church was decommissioned as part of parish consolidations but retains its grandeur and historic integrity.
Most recently, local approvals support the use of the church as a special events venue for weddings, performances, celebrations, and community gatherings, with the rectory and school serving as complementary overnight lodging spaces.
Extensive Infrastructure Improvements:
Significant capital improvements position this property for immediate activation and long-term success:
• All roofs replaced in 2024, safeguarding each building and reducing maintenance risk.
• Church underwent extensive masonry renovation and internal gutter replacement in 2024, preserving fabric and structural integrity.
Versatile Future Uses:
Beyond weddings and hospitality, this property is well-suited for numerous uses including:
• Boutique hotel or bed and breakfast campus
• Event center or cultural arts facility
• Retreat center or camp facility
• Religious retreat or community institution
• Mixed-use residential and commercial campus
Parking lots:
The expansive parking, consisting of two lots, approved for up to 123 spaces, ensures capacity for large events and guest services. A significant competitive advantage in a region where parking is extremely limited, particularly in Jim Thorpe. This creates a clear ancillary income opportunity through paid parking for events, tourists, and peak-season overflow demand.
Tourism & Strategic Location:
• Located just minutes from Jim?Thorpe PA, one of Pennsylvania’s premier tourism destinations known for its scenic river activities, historic downtown, railroad excursions, and year-round festivals, welcome nearly 400,000 guests annually and creating sustained lodging demand.
• Lansford itself is a base for heritage tourism, anchored by the No?9 Coal Mine & Museum, the world’s oldest anthracite coal mine tour, attracting history enthusiasts and families eager to explore America’s coal-mining legacy.
• Combined with regional annual visitation across Carbon County measured in the millions, this location is primed for hospitality growth and cross-destination leverage.
Structural reports, engineering and approved parking plans available upon request.