SACRED PLACES INDIANA:
Developing New Connections Between
Sacred Places and Their Communities
by A. Robert Jaeger
President, Partners for Sacred Places
I
ndiana is known for its thriving
capital, Indianapolis, and cities
such as Evansville and Fort Wayne
that are dotted with spires and domes
that signal the presence of active
congregations in distinctive, important
buildings. In addition, much of the state
is known for its small towns, scattered
among rich farmlands and, further
south, rolling hills that approach the
Ohio River. Like much of the Midwest
and Northeast, many communities have
declined in population over the years,
and smaller churches are learning how
to sustain their congregations and carry
out their outreach with fewer resources.
At the same time, many of these
churches have enormous assets: active
leaders, a reputation for service and
outreach, and historic buildings that
have great cultural and architectural
value that truly anchor their downtowns
and main streets.
For the last four years, a strong
statewide historic preservation
organization—Indiana Landmarks—has
been serving congregations in both
small towns and larger cities, providing
them with the tools and resources they
need to repair their buildings and use
their assets in creative ways to serve the
larger community. In a very short time,
Landmarks’ program—Sacred Places
Indiana (SPI)—has become one of the
most important and influential
programs serving religious properties in
America.
Second Baptist Church, New Albany, Indiana
Photo: David Frederick
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SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2019
Landmarks is responding to what it
sees as an urgent, growing issue in
historic preservation. As its President,
Marsh Davis, puts it, “Sacred Places