News
St. John’s Church Renovated Its Famous Bell Tower. Here’s How It Happened., Washingtonian, October 18, 2024
Save America’s sacred places for civic purposes, The Hill, May 28, 2024
Historic church windows repaired rededicated after vandal shattered them, Fox29 Philadelphia, May 15, 2024
Artists and Sacred Spaces, a Natural Fit on Chicago’s South Side, American Theatre, December 21, 2023
Utah Shiites win $250K grant toward preserving their LDS chapel-turned-mosque, The Salt Lake Tribune, October 20, 2023
Saving church buildings to save the planet, The Christian Century, June 14, 2023
Study Helps Churches Expand Their ‘Halo Effect’, The Living Church, May 25, 2023
Rural churches are economic powerhouses for their communities, Faith & Leadership, February 20, 2023
North Broad Street Church Revived with Community Impact Reuse Plan for Repairs, Hidden City Philadelphia, November 18, 2022
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Wins $200,000 Grant for Repairs, The Paper, October 22, 2022
UTSA Researchers Bolstering Historic Properties Along Gulf Coast to Withstand Hurricanes, UTSA Today,
October 3, 2022
Preservation Texas Makes El Paso Visit, El Paso Inc.,
By El Paso Inc. staff writer, September 18, 2022
Sanctuaries become art hubs thanks to new space-sharing site – Venuely offers a solution for New York City houses of worship in need of income.
By Kathryn Post, Religious News Service, August 11, 2022
The Flexible Church Building,
By Rev. L. Gail Irwin, Vital Signs & Statistics, July 25, 2022
Project Taking Inventory of Houses of Worship in Reading, PA
By Michelle Lynch, Reading Eagle, Pa. and Yahoo News, July 11, 2022
Historic Church Trying to Fend off Father Time
By Adam Pinsker, WISH-TV Channel 8 Indianapolis, Jun 26, 2022
Preserving History: First Congregational United Church pursuing listing on National Register of Historic Places
By Stephen Dow, The Sheridan Press, Apr 20, 2022
New Life for Older Buildings
By Dana Horrell, The Parish Paper, April 1, 2022
Historic City Churches Find New Life as Neighborhood Centers
By Giovanna Del ‘Orto, AP News, January 29, 2022
Sacred Spaces: Church Buildings Repurposed as Community Hubs
Christian Science Monitor, January 16, 2022
An ‘Economic Halo’ For Rural Churches In North Carolina
UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, January 11, 2022
Churches Could Double as Banks, or Even Serve Beer. We Can’t Leave Them Empty
The Guardian, December 31, 2021
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE BOURNE
Two Sacred Places as Community Spaces in Rural America
National Trust for Historic Preservation, September 14, 2021
PHOTO CREDIT: MARK LIPCZYNSKI
Inside the Latest Conservation Work at Arizona’s Spectacular San Xavier del Bac
Preservation Magazine, Summer, 2021
Iconic Architectural Styles at Sacred Places
National Trust for Historic Preservation, August 11, 2021
ORGAN STOPS, Featuring The Opera Philadelphia Chorus, Celebrates Philadelphia’s Historic Pipe Organs Through Song
Broadway World, July 6, 2021
Support of Its Members and the Community Helps Summit’s Central Church Secure Matching Preservation Grant
TAP into Summit, July 1, 2021
Churches widen reach for funding outside of congregations, weekly collection plates
Crain’s Detroit Business, June 13, 2021
Historic Baytown Synagogue Picked to Increase its Resilience
Jewish Herald Voice, May 13, 2021
Historic Logan United Methodist Church Undergoing Major Renovation and Repair
The Parkerburg News and Sentinel, March 28, 2021
PHOTO CREDIT: TRISTAN SPINSK
New Spirits Rise in Old, Repurposed Churches
New York Times, October 25, 2020
Namesake church in Holy Cross neighborhood looks for a savior
Indianapolis Business Journal, October 9, 2020
COURTESY OF REGIONAL AND MESOSCALE METEOROLOGY BRANCH
Experts aim to make historic properties along Gulf Coast more hurricane-proof
UTSA Today, July 22, 2020
HEATHER KHALIFA
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
This Doctor Deserves a Standing Ovation for Her Swift Response to the Coronavirus Crisis
The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 20, 2020
Ten Churches Selected To Receive $1.9 Million In Preservation Grants
Antiques and the Arts Weekly, Historic Homes & Properties, April 24, 2020
Trinity Episcopal Steeple to be Detached and Anchored in Stabilization Project
Index-Journal, Apr 8, 2020
Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines Iowa Hosts Palm Sunday Parade to Celebrate
CBS KCCI 8 News, Apr 5, 2020
New LIfe for Sacred Places Forum
Urban Land Institute, March 3, 2020
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, FRANKLIN PA
Beyond Worship
The Derrick. and The News-Herald, February 1, 2020
Historic Black Churches Embrace Others to Stay Alive for Elders
Ozy, January 13, 2020
ST. LYDIA’S DINNER CHURCH, BROOKLYN, NY
Sacred Architecture Isn’t Disappearing—It’s Changing
Common Edge, December 26, 2019
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CHICAGO
Ten Churches Selected to Receive $1.9 Million in Preservation Grants
The Presbyterian Outlook, October 18, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: SAM DUNKLAU
What’s Happening To Illinois’ Sacred Buildings In An Age of Decline?
NPR Illinois, October 2, 2019
MARGO REED
The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
After devastating fire, historic Parkside church hopes to save its facade and rebuild
Plan Philly, August 29, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL BIXLER
A Reconstructionist Synagogue Weaves Itself Into Manayunk’s Industrial Fabric
Hidden City Philadelphia, August 22, 2019
ARLINGTON STREET CHURCH
Lilly Endowment Inc. makes new grants to save historic churches
Religion News Service, August 7, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE MELLON
Neighbors envision a community gathering space at a restored East Liberty sanctuary
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 5, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA GRIFFIN
Four historic Philly churches are the unlikely stages for an important new work of American dance –
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 29, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL BRYANT
A unique New Jersey church where music, helping hands and historic preservation may offer salvation –
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 20, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID MAIALETTI
After Notre Dame fire, Philadelphia’s historic Christ Church demonstrates its ‘water curtain’-
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 17, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Grant programs offer boost to church renovation projects, within constitutional limits
Episcopal News Service, January 3, 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: CHRIS KENDIG PHOTOGRAPHY
Redesigning sacred spaces to serve their communities and save their congregations
Religion News Service, January 2, 2019
Looking for help for above: Nora UU Church seeks funds for belfry, window repairs
The Journal, December 23, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: NANCY TOVAR
Historic Los Angeles church, once an activist hub, seeks new life
The Christian Century, December 12, 2018
César Chávez once preached at the church, which supported Chicano civil rights organizers. But the church wants to do more than preserve its past.
PHOTO CREDIT: AMIT GUPTA
Learning to love our church’s (expensive) steeple
The Christian Century, November 30, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA GRIFFIN
Congregations sell their deeds in order to survive
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 28, 2018
Read the latest issue of Faith & Form for several articles about Sacred Places and Community:
Sacred and Civic Synergy
by Chad Martin
Creating Connections Between Arts and Faith Communities
interview of Karen DiLossi by Michael J. Crosbie
Sacred Places in Transition
by Rachel Hildebrandt
‘Can you help us find money to take care of our building?‘
by Chad Martin
The Economic Halo Effect
by A. Robert Jaeger
Parishioners team up to renovate Poultney church
Rutland Herald, August 13, 2018
Sacred Spaces / Civic Places
Context, Summer 2018
Sacred Places are ubiquitous. Yet, we are a critical juncture. The fact that sacred places are at risk isn’t new, however, the pace at which they are closing may become a crisis for all neighborhoods.
Check out the new Sacred Spaces/Civic Places edition of AIA Philadelphia’s Context.
PHOTO CREDIT: CLEM MURRAY
As Philly neighborhoods gentrify, black churches lose their base and leave
The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: IAN DOUGLAS
Grounds that Shout (And Others Merely Shaking)
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is supporting a series of performances that explore the relationships among religion, movement, race, and the body, with a focus on the African American religious experience and Philadelphia’s historic sacred places, June 18, 2018
BETH HILLEL TEMPLE
Kenosha synagogue’s $1 million renovation
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, June 6, 2018
5 do’s and 5 don’ts for using your church building well
The Christian Century, April 11, 2018
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY EXTERIOR | CARREN JAO
How Lincoln Heights’ Church of the Epiphany Energized the Chicano Movement
KCET, April 4, 2018
ERIN BROWN, SUN-TIMES
Work begins to rebuild roof of historic Woodlawn church gutted by 2015 fire
Chicago Sun Times, March 23, 2018
CONOR HUGHES, INDEX-JOURNAL
Efforts continue to restore Trinity Episcopal Church
Index-Journal, March 17, 2018
Local Church Wins National Preservation Award
HillRag, December 15, 2017
Historic Cedar Rapids church completes $4.5 million renovation
Cedar Rapids Gazette, November 20, 2017
Unalaska church receives National Fund Award
Bristol Bay Times, November 3, 2017
Clayborn Temple receives major national help for renovation efforts
Memphis Business Journal, October 25, 2017
Retirement Research Foundation releases overview of Accessible Faith Grant program
Retirement Research Foundation, March 15, 2017
The Retirement Research Foundation’s Accessible Faith Grant program helped houses of worship make their facilities accessible. RRF is pleased to share an overview of the Accessible Faith Grant program with funders across the nation and encourages them to incorporate this low-cost, high–return program in their grantmaking.
PHOTO: MARK C PSORAS, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Seminaries feel the crunch of a changing faith
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 10, 2017
Fund supports historic congregations
The Christian Century, February 15, 2017
New “Economic Halo Effect” research findings reveal civic value of America’s sacred places
Press Release, November 29, 2016
10 great American churches and religious sites
USA Today, December 16, 2016.
Preservation grant may be the saving grace for Tacoma’s urban church
Tacoma News Tribune, November 11, 2016
Honoring the History of Grand Rapids Church
Christian Reformed Church News, November 9, 2016
Episcopal churches among those receiving preservation grants
Episcopal News Service, November 2, 2016
Basilica of St. Josaphat continues raising funds for urgent repairs
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal, November 4, 2016
Basilica of St. Josaphat to receive aid for restoration
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal, November 1, 2016
One of Chicago’s historic churches in line for infusion of restoration cash
Chicago Tribune – November 1, 2016
Unprecedented $14 Million Program Established to Save Historic Churches Across America
Press Release, November 2, 2016
Citizens offer ideas for church use
Times Daily – September 24, 2016
Sanctuary, Shared: Artists Animate Empty Spaces in Houses of Worship
Nonprofit Quarterly – July 6, 2015
Once patrons, now landlords — churches rehab buildings for artist spaces
Religion News Service
Salvation Army’s community centers add $15M+ to local economy
Philadelphia Business Journal
Changing Skyline: In the rush to build houses, churches are discarded
Philadelphia Inquirer
015 Faith & Form/IFRAA International Awards Program
Faith & Form {Deadline is July 15}
Submissions are invited for the 2015 Faith & Form/IFRAA International Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in the design of religious architecture, religious arts, religious landscape design, the design of unbuilt religious projects, and student design projects for spiritual environments. More information can be found here.
Synagogue Repurposed as Minor League Team’s Souvenir Store
New York Times
Group links low-use religious sites with space-needy organizations
Crain’s Detroit Business
Can churches and artists save each other?
Drexel Now
Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places
Faith and Leadership
Evanston helps artists find spaces in places of worship
The Daily Northwestern
Urban Sacred Places, What Art They Worth
Faith & Form
Partners awarded Knight Arts Challenge
In Philadlephia, Many Sacred Places Become White Elephants
Philadephia Inquirer
Azuka Theatre Debuts in New Space,
Broadwayworld.com
Charities’ role in the Big Society
BBC News
A study asks: What’s a church’s economic worth?
Philadelphia Inquirer
Arts & Congregations Project
Philadelphia Inquirer
Mount Sinai in the Suburbs
Philadelphia Inquirer
An active partner with Partners for Sacred Places, Beth Shalom Synagogue received designation as a National Historic Landmark. Beth Sholom is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only synagogue, a glazed glass pyramidal tower on a base of reinforced concrete and steel.
US Judge Rules Public Funds Can Be Used for Church Renovations
The Christian Science Monitor
The Structured Thinkers: Partners for Sacred Spaces
Philadelphia CityPaper
Partners for Sacred Places opens new Texas office
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
St. Francis de Sales: Preserving a sacred heritage
Catholic Standard
A Sacred Mission
Newsweek
Church’s Revival a Beacon of Hope and Renewal
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Listen to Interviews Featuring Partners Staff
- WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ARTIST AND A CHURCH COLLABORATE?, THE RUNDOWN: CHICAGO NEWS PODCAST, WBEZ, APRIL 25, 2024
- LEADING IDEAS TALKS PODCAST: EPISODE 126 “THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF RURAL CHURCHES FEATURING BOB JAEGER AND RACHEL HILDEBRANT
- SARAH JONES AND EMILY SAJDAK INTERVIEW SANCTUARY, CHICAGO
- BOB JAEGER PARTICIPATES IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE 21ST, A PROGRAM OF ILLINOIS PUBLIC MEDIA, ABOUT PRESERVING AND REPURPOSING CHURCHES
- LEADING IDEAS TALKS PODCAST: EPISODE 34 “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BUILDING” FEATURING BOB JAEGER
- RACHEL HILDEBRANT ON NEWSWORKS TONIGHT WHYY, PHILADELPHIA
- BOB JAEGER QUOTED ON NPR’S MARKETPLACE WHYY, PHILADELPHIA