Over $9 Million in Grants Will Restore 30 Historic Congregations, Including Churches in San Francisco and Chicago
LOUISVILLE: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reported on October 26 that the National Fund for Sacred Places has named its 2026 grantees: 30 historic congregations across the United States will each receive capital grants of up to $500,000, for a total of more than $9 million, the largest amount awarded in any round of the fund. The list includes a Presbyterian church in San Francisco and a Chinese Christian church in Chicago.
Three Presbyterian churches are among the grantees. Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church in San Francisco will receive a matching grant of up to $125,000 to help restore its historic sanctuary. First & Franklin Presbyterian Church in Baltimore has been awarded about $480,000 to support restoration of its brownstone spire, the tallest church spire in Baltimore. New River Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia received a $250,000 matching grant to repair the exterior stonework on the north and west elevations of its historic building.
This year's grantees also include the Chinese Christian Union Church in Chicago and Berkeley Methodist United Church in Berkeley, California, among 30 congregations nationwide.
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc., and is now in its 11th year. Alongside the grants, the program provides tailored technical assistance to support planning, community engagement and fundraising.
A total of 466 congregations applied this year. To date, the fund has awarded or pledged more than $42 million to 197 community-serving congregations representing 29 denominations and faith traditions across 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; for every $1 invested by the fund, participating congregations have raised nearly $5 in additional funding.
Bob Jaeger, president of Partners for Sacred Places, said the 2026 congregations embody 'spirituality, community and resilience,' and that their historic buildings have long served as civic spaces and community gathering places. Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the more than $9 million is the largest amount awarded in any round of the fund, and that investing in these congregations ensures the nation's diverse religious heritage is preserved and thriving.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Baltimore 的 First & Franklin 长老会教堂及其棕褐石尖塔（资料图），该堂获约48万美元拨款修复这座全城最高的尖塔。照片：Baltimore Heritage，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。
