The new McCleary Museum and Heritage Center will be the site of a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Pastor Georgia Self will conduct a “nondenominational” service beginning at 9 p.m. Dec. 24 at the former United Methodist Church at 426 S. Third St. in McCleary.

The McCleary Historical Society recently purchased the building, which was built in 1926, from the church. Organizers foresee converting the site into a heritage center for the city.

“We envision that the historic structure will become a venue to be used for a wide variety of programs, such as small concerts, lectures, meetings, weddings, memorial services, religious services, dinners and many other social gatherings,” Linda Thompson, president of the historical society and Vidette columnist, said last month in an email. “The facility will also house the museum’s historical collection.”

Pianist Gary Thomasson will accompany the ceremony, which is open to the public.

To complete the transition to a heritage center, building will require some work, including possibly removing the chimney, replacing windows and resurfacing floors.

“Realistically, this project is going to take a lot of money and a lot of work by many volunteers,” Thompson said in the email. “We are starting a capital fund drive. We do not have all estimates in hand yet but we anticipate our long-term needs may run as high as $250,000 to pay for purchase of the building and to make some necessary repairs.”

The McCleary Historical Society can be reached at via phone at 360-495-4569, by email at mccleary.museum@gmail.com or online at facebook.com/McClearyMuseum.