Often built in the center of town near the local post office or town hall, rural churches were designed with community gathering in mind. In small towns like Sheridan, Wyoming, and Abbeville, South Carolina, with populations fewer than 20,000 people and congregants living across wide geographic regions, going to church meant reconnecting with friends and family, accessing free resources, and participating in service projects to better the region.
Gleaming stained-glass windows with images depicting familiar Bible stories are to be expected in most Christian churches. But a closer look at the windows at Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reveals something else.
Two more community-serving congregations have completed critical repairs and upgrades thanks to the National Fund for Sacred Places. In November, National Trust staff completed virtual site visits with United Baptist Church of Poultney, Vermont and First Covenant Church of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Members of both congregations reflected that the project outcomes far exceeded their expectations in terms of fundraising, impact, and outreach.
Judson Memorial Church has always been dedicated to the diverse communities of New York City, and, thanks to the National Fund for Sacred Places it hopes to continue with its mission and expand its reach for years to come.
The National Fund for Sacred Places is pleased to announce that 15 historic congregations across the United States have been selected to join this prestigious program. Each congregation is receiving a grant of up to $250,0000 to support its project and will be able to work with consultants at the Fund to ensure a successful outcome.
The National Fund for Sacred Places selected 16 vital congregations across the United States to receive funding and technical assistance. All of the 2020 awardees will receive generous preservation grants up to $250,0000, along with pro bono support services, to ensure their projects are well planned and successful.
The National Fund for Sacred Places (National Fund) announced awards to ten historic congregations across the United States. These ten places, representing some of America’s most significant sacred spaces, have earned entrance into a national grant-making program that is set to invest $1.9 million in their repair and restoration, the safeguarding of their physical legacies, and strengthening the value they contribute to their communities.
With aging churches throughout the nation facing decay and physical distress, Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announce an unprecedented $14 million National Fund for Sacred Places to assist churches in need of repair and restoration. See the list of the inaugural grantees.
