The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 21 Sacred Sites grants totaling $337,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including $10,000 to First Presbyterian Church in Baldwinsville to help fund protective glazing installation on the sanctuary stained-glass windows.
Designed in 1865 by Syracuse architect Horatio Nelson White, the First Presbyterian Church is a brick Victorian Gothic church. In 1909, the church was extended to the rear, to provide more community and education space. A separate, modern education building was built at 64 Oswego Street, north of the church, in 1955. Several educational, social and cultural organizations use the church facilities, serving 2,400 people a year. These organizations include a nursery school, the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild, the Baldwinsville Female Charitable Society, community dinners, and concerts by the Baldwinsville Community Band.
“Our current grantees have social service programs that reach 53,000 people across New York State,” said Peg Breen, president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. “Our grants help keep these institutions viable, allowing them to continue feeding programs, day care, thrift stores, and recovery meetings.” “In this time of extreme need,” she added, “it is even more important to help these congregations continue to serve their communities.”
The Sacred Sites Program provides congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, technical assistance, and workshops. Since 1986, the program has pledged 1,547 grants totaling more than $11.8 million to 824 religious institutions statewide.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy, a private non-profit organization, has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for more than 45 years. Since its founding, the conservancy has loaned and granted more than $52 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in 1,550 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs. The conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations and individuals. The conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the city and state, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations. For more information, please visit nylandmarks.org.
