Executive Summary
Partners for Sacred Places , America ’ s only national , nonsectarian nonprofit working to help faith communities and neighborhoods sustain and make the most of older religious properties , hosted America ’ s first convening of civic leaders to focus on developing new approaches and new resources to sustain these buildings in an era of change and vulnerability .
The convening , entitled “ Activating Hidden Assets : Making the Most of Sacred Places for the Wider Community ,” brought together leaders from a wide range of sectors with a stake in the health and vitality of sacred places and the communities they serve for a day of learning , conversation , and deliberation . The convening was co-sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Program for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society and took place on April 4 and 5 , 2024 near the university campus in Philadelphia .
Almost 100 leaders participated from seven key sectors : philanthropy , religion , architecture / preservation , government , media , academia , and nonprofits . The convening sessions were structured to :
1 . Brief participants on the religious landscape in America , including the value and vulnerability of congregations and their buildings . The briefing included tours of two Philadelphia congregations , Calvary United Methodist Church and New River Presbyterian Church , endeavoring to serve their communities in large buildings needing major investment ; a video case study of Christ Church in Reading , PA working to serve the community in its historic building ; and an overview of congregational numbers and demographics by Dr . Nancy Ammerman .
2 . Lay out the challenges and opportunities presented by sacred places , and call for action . Keynote speakers included Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows , John Bridgeland , and E . J . Dionne Jr .
3 . Encourage conversation and deliberation at two roundtable sessions on new ways to engage with and support sacred places .
4 . Suggest initiatives that could significantly impact the sustainability and impact of older religious buildings and their faith communities .
OVER
100
LEADERS IN ATTENDANCE
SEVEN SECTORS REPRESENTED :
• philanthropy
• religion
• architecture / preservation
• government
• media
• academia
• nonprofit
2
ON-SITE CONGREGATION TOURS
14
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
17
SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
4
NEXT STEPS IDENTIFIED
2