The McCleary Historical Society’s museum could soon have a new home.

The society made an offer to buy the former United Methodist Church on South Third Street in McCleary, and the church’s Pacific Northwest Conference accepted, according to a release from Linda Thompson, president of the group.

Thompson said the society expects to call the repurposed church the McCleary Heritage Center.

“In order to proceed with the Heritage Center concept, the Historical Society plans to seek partnerships with a number of community organizations and city government to develop a common vision statement for the facility. The group is also in close contact with, and seeking guidance from, the State Historical Society,” the release states.

“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,” Thompson said in an email. “The facility will also house the museum’s historical collection.”

The church, which the release states opened in 1926, 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.

“The unique history of McCleary needs to be preserved,” Thompson said in the email. “We invite the community to help us preserve the museum and the story of McCleary, be a part of the future and support the new McCleary Heritage Center.”