A former church building at 7th and Holland Street in Erie that has seen many uses, is undergoing a major restoration for a homecoming.

The historic church was built was in 1906 for what was then Erie's Swedish Baptist congregation.  From the late 1800's they had been meeting in a house at that address.  In time, it became known as Grace Baptist Church.

When "Grace" left for the suburbs, the building became an art and gift store, Glass Grower's Gallery, and then home to the Lake Erie Ballet.  Erie News Now learned that Erie Insurance purchased the building and in late 2017, gifted it back to Grace Church.

Right now, workers from Jesse Fiske Restoration are repairing the bricks and mortar and replacing any old or damaged wood to restore the church to its original beauty.  They will also be re-roofing the church building.

Grace Church leaders are not ready to say yet how they plan to but the vacant, historic church building back into use, but the did say they will be making an announcement soon.