A historic Bucks County church, which was once part of the Underground Railroad, will hold a fundraiser to fund some much-needed repairs, reports Bo Koltnow for WFMZ 69 News.

Mount Gilead Church, tucked into Buckingham Mountain, was built in 1834 by Quakers and runaway and freed slaves just outside of New Hope.

“People have lived in this area for years and didn’t even know it existed,” said Church Rev. David Jackson. “So it has a covert nature to it, which was really the underlying feature to the whole project of the Underground Railroad.”

However, with just five services per year and growing repair needs, the church is in need of public help. On Sunday afternoon, from 1 – 4 PM, the church will hold an open house and fundraiser that will showcase area artists.

One of them is Jim Lukens, who is auctioning off a painting as part of the fundraiser.

“This was a beacon for people, and I hope it (the fundraiser) keeps the story alive and helps for something as we go forward into the future,” he said.

Watch the entire segment at WFMZ 69 News.

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