The Falls Church (Episcopal), Falls Church, VA

The congregation at Falls Church, the namesake of its Virginia town, gathers with its bishop outside its building, constructed in 1769. George Washington and George Mason were active parishioners, and the congregation now boasts a school and many community programs. The National Fund is helping this congregation preserve its history and continue serving its neighbors.

Photo: Ellie Bangay

First Presbyterian Church of Taos, NM

The Fellowship Hall in the former education building at the First Presbyterian Church of Taos, NM was converted into an emergency winter homeless shelter during an especially cold winter, and it continues to serve as an overflow shelter for the city. With support from the National Fund, the congregation is undertaking urgent repairs to its Pueblo Revival-style building, which serves as a landmark and busy meeting space in the heart of the town.

Photo: Nathan Burton, Taos News

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, Michigan City, IN

Jakoś to będzie, a Polish phrase meaning “things will work out,” was invoked by the parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Parish in Michigan City, IN, when they dug the foundation of their church nearly 100 years ago. Congregants repeat it today as they work to restore it with Partners’ support.

Photo: Josh McIntyre

KAM Isaiah Israel, Chicago, IL

KAM Isaiah Israel, or KAM II, is vibrant, community-focused, and the oldest continuously-worshiping Jewish congregation in the City of Chicago. In the summer and fall of 2024, KAM II worked with Partners on a community asset-mapping, to gather external input on how their facilities might be leveraged for the vitality of the congregation and its neighbors. Events like this help congregations promote themselves in their community, get a fuller understanding of how they can strengthen their impact, and eventually access greater sources of funding. The congregation is currently undertaking a capital campaign, in collaboration with Partners, which is supported by the National Fund for Sacred Places.

Photo: congregation

First Presbyterian Church in Albany, NY

First Presbyterian Church in Albany, NY is a beautiful example of Romanesque Revival architecture, noted for its interior, including a Sea of Galilee Tiffany window. In 2022, the congregation adopted a new mission statement centered on becoming a more neighborhood-centered church. Partners helped with a space assessment, a capital campaign feasibility study and an economic impact study. A capital campaign for $2 million dollars is now underway to restore the building, so that it maintains its beauty and reflects the congregation’s new mission.

Photo: Dwight Cheu

All Saints' Episcopal Church, Austin TX

Children from the Day School at All Saints’ Episcopal Church sit in the Gregg House, a mid-century modern building that also houses the church’s ministries and the Episcopal Student Center for UT Austin. Partners helped the congregation connect with its wider community through an asset-mapping event, which helped identify new uses for its building and raise money to renovate it.

Photo: TK Images

2024 ND/NP Participant

First Church of Christ, UCC, Longmeadow, MA

First Church of Christ’s current building was built in 1767 in the heart of Longmeadow, MA. Its bell, built by Paul Revere’s foundry in Boston, has sounded for notable local and national events since that time. Congregational leaders participated in New Dollars / New Partners in 2024, and have since started a capital campaign to restore the building with support from the wider community.

Photo: congregation

2024 ND/NP Participant

Zion Church of the City of Baltimore (Lutheran), MD

Zion Church of the City of Baltimore was one of 16 congregations to pilot the newly revised New Dollars / New Partners progam. Zion is known for its music, social events, celebration of German heritage, and National Historic Landmark building in downtown Baltimore. Founded in 1755, many original members immigrated from Germany, and some of their hymnals remain in the church library. Like so many congregations in America, demographic changes and development separated Zion’s congregation from its building, so it is working with Partners to find new ways to engage its neighbors and sustain its presence.

Photo: The Rev. Rochelle Stackhouse

in remembrance of

Helen H. Ford 1934 - 2025

Helen has been a big part of Partners’ history and she will be missed. But through her support, she has helped hundreds of the sacred places that she loved continue to serve as spaces to gather, learn, serve neighbors, and listen to music.

"Helen was much more than a donor and supporter of our work. Over the years she became a friend and confidante."
- Bob Jaeger, President, Partners for Sacred Places


Helen Ford, next to her tent at a United Methodist Church camp meeting in Ocean Grove, NJ.