The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has announced its newest cohort of grantees. Twenty-nine churches and one synagogue (listed below) have been selected to receive capital grants of up to $500,000 along with tailored technical assistance to support historic preservation efforts, community engagement and enhanced fundraising. This represents both the largest cohort of grantees in a single year and the largest amount of funding awarded in the program’s history, totaling $8.73 million in grants.
Now entering its 10th year, the National Fund for Sacred Places is the only nationwide program of its kind, providing financial and professional resources to help congregations remain strong faith communities while they steward some of the nation’s most important and architecturally significant houses of worship. Since its inception, the National Fund has awarded or pledged over $33 million to 168 community-serving congregations representing 28 faith traditions across 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
“Each of the congregations welcomed into the National Fund this year represents a unique story of resilience, history, and service,” said Bob Jaeger, president of Partners for Sacred Places. “These sacred places are not only architectural treasures — they are vital centers of congregational life and community anchors offering meals, education, cultural enrichment, and refuge. We are honored to support their preservation and their continued role in public life.”
Faith communities supported by the National Fund often serve as centers for critical social and cultural activity, providing everything from shelter and meals to after-school programs, concerts and civic dialogue. Research shows that for every $1 invested through the National Fund, more than $4.77 in community impact is generated, making preservation an act of both cultural stewardship and community investment.
Interest in the National Fund continues to be high. For 2025, 319 congregations applied, reflecting both widespread need and a growing recognition that sacred places require external support to maintain their dual role as historic landmarks and community lifelines.
The National Fund 2025 grantees are:
- Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church - Tucson, Arizona
- The Park Hill United Methodist Church - Denver
- Luther Place Memorial Church - Washington, D.C.
- Riverside Church at Park and King - Jacksonville, Florida
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish - Marshalltown, Iowa
- First Church of Deliverance - Chicago
- Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church - Greencastle, Indiana
- Irvington Presbyterian Church - Indianapolis
- Bethany Lutheran Church - Lindsborg, Kansas
- Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral - Louisville
- Hyde Park Seventh-day Adventist Church - Boston
- State Street Church UCC - Portland, Maine
- Wright on Main/Community Christian Church - Kansas City, Missouri
- Calvary Moravian Church - Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- St. Thomas Episcopal Church - Dover, New Hampshire
- First Presbyterian Church of Albany - Albany, New York
- St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery - New York
- Third Presbyterian Church - Rochester, New York
- First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland - Cleveland
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Cleveland
- Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square - Columbus, Ohio
- Camphor Memorial Church - Philadelphia
- SACCPhilly - Snyder Avenue Congregational Church - Philadelphia
- St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church - Pittsburgh
- San Juan Cathedral - San Juan, Puerto Rico
- St. Patrick Catholic Church - Charleston, South Carolina
- Canton Lutheran Church - Canton, South Dakota
- Belmont United Methodist Church - Nashville, Tennessee
- Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd / El Buen Pastor - Ogden, Utah
- Temple Beth Hatfiloh - Olympia, Washington
For more information on the National Fund for Sacred Places, including eligibility, program details, and the value of sacred places in communities nationwide, visit fundforsacredplaces.org. The National Fund for Sacred Places is made possible thanks to the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc.
Partners for Sacred Places is the only nonsectarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to the sound stewardship and active community use of older sacred places across America. Partners provides a variety of fundraising, building stewardship, space-sharing, and community engagement services through grant-funded programs and consulting so that sacred places can live into the vital roles they play as community assets in their neighborhoods and our wider society. To learn more, visit sacredplaces.org.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (Click here to read original PNS Story)
Let us join in prayer for:
Rebecca Hall, Customer Service Representative, Hubbard Press, Administrative Services Group
Denise Hampton, Vice President & Controller, Finance & Accounting Controller's Office, Administrative Services Group
Let us pray:
Gracious God, we offer thanks for the deep roots and unquenchable hope you give. We pray that you will support congregations, encourage tireless pastors, and help youth and adults develop servant hearts. All this we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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