After a Disaster
Program Aids Congregations in Need of Emergency Repairs
By Lily Hamilton,
Associate Director of the National Fund for Sacred Places
Congregations stewarding historic houses of worship are often planning for the next oncein-a-generation building project. Whether a roof replacement, electrical system upgrade, or the restoration of exterior masonry, most projects require a large investment of time to plan and raise funds. Grant programs such as the National Fund for Sacred Places— a project of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation— support major, critical building repairs that are usually beyond a congregation’ s capacity to finance. But what happens when congregations face an unforeseen emergency?
10 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2025