First Baptist Church receives Sacred Sites Grant

CANASTOTA, N.Y. » The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 21 Sacred Sites Grants totaling $337,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including $30,000 to First Baptist Church in Canastota to help fund steeple restoration.

First Baptist Church in Canastota is a High Victorian Gothic style red brick church. Organized in 1819, First Baptist was the first religious society in Canastota. Community programs reach over 1,000 people a year and include a youth group, an afterschool program, summer feeding program, distributing hygiene kits to homebound seniors, supplies to a local domestic violence shelter, and school supplies for three middle school classrooms.

“Our current grantees have social service programs that reach 53,000 people across New York State,” said Peg Breen, President, 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

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 www.nylandmarks.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY A look at First Baptist Church in Canastota