MOUNT CARBON — A Florida couple with connections to Schuylkill County has purchased the former St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.
Michael and Samantha M. Kinsel, principals in Kinetic Security LLC, bought the 105-year-old church for $95,000 on Dec. 5, 2025, according to county documents.
The Kinsels plan to renovate the historic property, a Catholic church from 1921 to 2008, over the next two years.
When visiting relatives and friends in Schuylkill County, the Kinsels will stay in the former church. When they’re not there, it will be available for short-term rental.
“My husband and I have been involved in short-term rental since 2019,” Samantha said. “We saw a need with other friends and family members that wanted to come back and spend time with family, but might not be comfortable staying with them.”
Michael and Samantha Kinsel, new owners of former St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Mt. Carbon. (SUBMITTED)
A graduate of Minersville Area High School, Samantha was a member of the school’s softball team that won the PIAA Class A state championship in 2005. A graduate of Susquehanna University and Pennsylvania College of Optometry, she is an optometrist in Jacksonville.
Her father, Robert “Bob” Price, was recently inducted into the Pottsville High School Sports Hall of Fame. A 1980 graduate, he was a 4-year letterman in swimming and diving.
Price, a long time teacher at Intermediate Unit 29, lives in North Carolina with his spouse, Jacqueline. They are planning to return to the Pottsville area, their daughter said.
Michael Kinsel, 40, retired from the Marine Corps in 2018. He works in construction and remodeling, and manages an alligator farm.
The Kinsels announced their purchase of the former St. Francis de Sales church on Facebook and Instagram.
The Instagram post, Michael said, has received 2.5 million views.
“Our goal,” Samantha said, “is to have the church listed on a national historic registry.”
The Kinsels are working with a contractor to put a new roof on the property. They expect to have it complete in the next month or so.
Looking back
Built in 1921, St. Francis de Sales served working-class families in Mount Carbon and the surrounding area for 87 years.
The church closed in 2008 as part of a consolidation of parishes under Bishop Edward P. Cullen. Its parishioners, as well as those of Mary Queen of Peace in Pottsville, were absorbed by St. Patrick Catholic Church in Pottsville.
The interior of the former St. Francis De Sales Church in Mount Carbon.
The interior of the former St. Francis De Sales Church in Mount Carbon.
The interior of the former St. Francis De Sales Church in Mount Carbon.
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The interior of the former St. Francis De Sales Church in Mount Carbon.
Msgr. Edward O’Connor, dean of the South Schuylkill Deanery, was pastor of the consolidated churches, which included St. Joseph’s in Pottsville, the Republican Herald reported.
The diocese sold St. Francis de Sales to private owners in Oct. 2013.
The church rectory at 49 Main Street, also built in 1921, was sold in 2014, according to county records.
St. Francis de Sales retained many of its original features, including stained glass windows and its original bell. Contrary to most churches, where the bell is in a steeple, the St. Francis bell is mounted outdoors at the rear of the building. The bell survives, and was part of the sale.
A new organ was dedicated in March 1971. At the time, Rev. John M. Shalvey was pastor and Mary Todd was organist and choir director.
Fond memories
The Kinsels’ purchase of the church drew a host of comments from former parishioners on Facebook.
They spoke of being baptized, confirmed and married in the church. Some were altar servers.
A woman recalled Rev. Cornelius Burke, pastor, driving a two-door car with a rumble seat.
Another remembered her grandmother, who lived across Main Street from the church, cleaned it for 40 years.
“I grew up in that church, and all over Main Street, and I cherish all my memories,” a woman wrote.
The Kinsels, who are anxious to know more about the history of the church, invite comments at Mainstreetsanctuary@gmail.com.