A Catholic church, closed for a long time, designed by a priest of the Renaissance, it has been reopened as an art gallery, now owned by an artist, who once was asked to work for the Vatican.

Art Centre of Wilkes-Barre has opened doors on November 20 in the building that once was the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

The new owner, Ray Lapatinka, is an artist trained for romantic portraits of the nineteenth century and his works now hang on the same walls that once held the paintings of the deceased Joseph Murgas, who had chaired the Assembly of the church, as well as construction process.

Lapatinka, originally from Kosovo, reports “Koha Ditore” the article of timesleader.com, decided to buy the building when he heard it was up for sale during a visit he had with the owner of “Café Toscana” and his friend Marcello Ameti, where he also met the representative of the real estate company Hysni “Sam” Syla and Steve Barrouk, who also deal with real estate.

“I saw a notice from the outside indicating that it was a historic landmark of Pennsylvania”, stated Lapatinka.

“I thought it would be nice if I save and restore it into an art gallery”, he added. Lapatinka started his education for arts at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo and has continued his studies in “Montclair State University” in New Jersey.

He made custom portraits and held lectures in “Bergen County Community College,” but one of the greatest honours in his career came from the Catholic Church.