National Fund for Sacred Places Awards Grants to 16 Historically Significant Faith Communities Across the U.S.
Author: The National Trust for Historic Preservation
Contact Email: rhildebrandt@sacredplaces.org
Contact Phone: 215-567-3234, ext. 21
The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is pleased to announce its 2023 grantees. Sixteen historically significant faith communities have been admitted into the prestigious program, which provides capital grants of up to $250,000 and hands-on technical assistance to congregations undertaking significant preservation projects.
The only initiative of its kind in the United States, the National Fund for Sacred Places is a highly competitive program that supports vibrant faith communities that have buildings of historical significance and architectural character, and that play an essential role in meeting the larger spiritual, social, and economic needs of the communities they serve. This year’s grantees represent some of the most important and impactful houses of worship in the country. With these grants, the National Fund recognizes their contributions and seeks to support their efforts.
“We are delighted to welcome 16 faith communities from around the United States into the National Fund. This year was the most competitive yet, and the members of the new cohort stood out for their admirable commitment to using their historic religious properties as civic assets,” said Bob Jaeger, President of Partners for Sacred Places. “We are excited to collaborate with the National Trust in serving faith leaders who are working hard to ensure that their buildings are preserved, fully used, and able to serve their communities over the long term.”
“We’re honored to support the preservation of these 16 places of worship, which hold so many stories about American history, architecture, and religious expression,” said Jay Clemens, Interim President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “These capital grants, and the wrap-around services provided by the National Trust and Partners for Sacred Places, will support congregations that are working to sustain their historic buildings and enrich the future of their communities.”
The National Fund for Sacred Places is made possible thanks to the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. The National Fund 2023 grantees are:
All Souls Unitarian Church – Washington, D.C.
Alrasool Islamic Center – Taylorsville, UT
Breakers Covenant Church International – Detroit, MI
Church of the Holy Apostles – New York, NY
Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist – New York, NY
Faith Congregational Church – Hartford, CT
First Bryan Baptist Church – Savannah, GA
First Unitarian Church – Philadelphia, PA
St. Adalbert Catholic Church – South Bend, IN
St. Francis de Sales Oratory – St. Louis, MO
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Baltimore, MD
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Key West, FL
St. Peter’s/San Pedro Episcopal Church – Salem, MA
United Parish in Brookline – Brookline, MA
Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo – Buffalo, NY
Vang Lutheran Church – Dennison, MN
Please visit the National Fund for Sacred Places’ website to learn more about the program, eligibility, participants, and the value of sacred places in communities across the country. Now in its eighth year, the National Fund has awarded or pledged over $21.5 million to 113 community-serving congregations representing different faith traditions or denominations in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. www.fundforsacredplaces.org
###
About Partners for Sacred Places
Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets that serve the broader community. www.sacredplaces.org/
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe. www.lillyendowment.org
Click the image to learn
more about our grant
We all know how important the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo (UUCB) is in our lives. It gives us so much! A place to worship, a place to gather with friends and a place to enjoy glorious music and be supported by our beloved community.
Beginning in September 2024 marks the official launch of our three year capital campaign with the fundraising goal of $1,250,000. We have named this campaign, “Carry the Light Forward,” to reflect its goal of honoring our building’s history and heritage and ensuring a bright future.
To complement our campaign, in 2023 UUCB was one of only sixteen congregations in the U.S. to receive a prestigious National Fund for Sacred Places matching grant of $250,000. This support enables us to meet the needs of our congregation and enhance our community impact while meeting all the preservation guidelines required by our National Register of Historic Places designation.
Why we need a capital campaign
For more than a century, the UUCB has stood as a beacon of progressive values and community service. It is a place where individuals have found acceptance, inspiration, and joy. Our church is a cornerstone in the community, embodying the spirit of hope and inclusivity. However, necessary repairs are needed to ensure the church’s continued service to the community.
Combined, the $1,250,000 raised for the Carry the Light Forward campaign will be used to upgrade our historic building, including important tasks to add safety and accessibility systems, repair water damaged windows, walls, and masonry, and improve the function and visibility of our beautiful stained glass windows.
Planned repairs
- Update access control system (monitor all entrance doors from the office, record evidence of all openings and closings), codes and fobs to be used to open doors
- Expand security system with motion detectors throughout and 10 cameras (at doorways, hallways, parking lot)
- Install additional emergency lighting units with battery back-up for Sanctuary
- Install new fire alarm and carbon monoxide alarm systems
- Install new bollard lighting along garden walkway, and LED exterior lighting at parking lot and rear entrance to kitchen
- Install panic bars on egress doors (W. Ferry, Elmwood, and Garden entrances)
Accessibility: - ADA compliant door openers at outer and inner garden entrance doors
- ADA compliant door opener at first floor men and women's restroom doors and other restroom upgrades
Electrical: - Replace four electrical panels
Basement: - Address water infiltration and water damage in classrooms
- Basement restroom upgraded to an all gender restroom
Exterior Stone Facade and Wood Repair & Restoration: - Significant cleaning and recaulking of all exterior limestone walls
- Restore existing Bell Tower louvers
Stained Glass Windows: - Repair areas of broken glass and inoperable vent frames and install new Lexan exterior protective panels
Heating System: - Clean interior of ductwork system and fan that heats the sanctuary and church meeting rooms
Space Upgrades: - Refresh classrooms, meeting spaces, and community-use spaces
Click the image to see
a list of planned repairs
Our fundraising plan
We have a strong capital campaign committee in place to lead the Carry the Light Forward campaign. This dedicated committee brings decades of church knowledge and experience in fundraising and outreach. They have devoted hundreds of hours over the last two years conducting the necessary foundational groundwork to be ready for September’s launch, including:
- Conducted a financial feasibility study (click here)
- Commissioned an architectural and engineering building survey (click here)
- Secured a $250,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places (click here)
- Secured a $9,000 matching grant from The New York Landmarks Conservancy for our stained glass window repair (click here)
- Partnered for a UUCB Economic Halo Effect Report (click here)
- Organized town hall meetings, informational sessions, and financial planning workshops
Our Committee
Phil Nicolai, Co-chair
Jane Armbruster
Will Botsford
Joel Cohen
Rev. Cathy Harrington
Thea Hassan
Martha Malkiewicz
Holly Massett
Tom Muka
John Petrocelli
David Quackenbush
Molly Quackenbush
Greg Rabb
Click the image to see
a list of campaign members
Please help UUCB Carry the Light Forward
During September and October, more information will be provided on how to contribute, and capital campaign committee members will be reaching out personally to UUCB members to provide more information and offer opportunities for you to share your gift.
For more information about UUCB's Carry the Light campaign and its fundraising efforts, please contact members of the campaign committee (click here for committee members).
Phil Nicolai, Co-chair
Martha Malkiewicz
Carry the Light Timeline and Activities
There are many fun and informative activities scheduled to help you and the UUCB community learn more about our Carry the Light campaign and to provide opportunities to enjoy each other's company. Below is a timeline for these activities and how to participate. We look forward to your engagement!
- Sunday September 8th : Welcome back Ingathering service
- Saturday September 14th : Stewardship training session 9:30 - 12:30
- Saturday September 21st : Carry the Light Forward Campaign kickoff PARTY! 5 - 7 pm
- Sunday September 22nd : Carry the Light Forward and Annual Campaign launch day and celebration. Jake Morrill to speak at service.
Our Spiritual Home Represents Our Values
Serving the Needs of Our Community Reflects UUCB’s Mission
A Shared Community Space
- For 25 years, our kitchen has served Food Not Bombs, providing free, nutritious vegan meals for the hungry.
- Seven recovery groups meet weekly at our church, serving around 250 people.
- We host weekly classes for three dance groups: Contra, folk, and ecstatic.
- Our free monthly Casual Concerts showcase local and regional musicians.
- We provide a safe space for neighborhood Girl Scout troops.
- Our building hosts poetry classes, the Women’s Society Distinguished Speakers Series, the Banned Book Club, and crafting clubs, enriching Buffalo's curious and creative communities.