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Sacred Places in Central Appalachia

Explore our work preserving and strengthening the cultural heritage of sacred places across this regions.

Lay Leaders at Harshaw Chapel

Project Background

Since 2019, this program has supported nine historically and culturally significant sacred places across North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Through capacity-building training, community engagement, and matching funds for restoration, the program has helped these sites preserve their buildings while fostering appreciation for the region’s rich folk arts and traditions.

Project Background

Opportunities and Needs

This project will offer new tools and resources to build networks of friends and advocates for these important buildings, develop new sources of revenue and capital funds, and collaborate with artists and artisans to activate and restore these invaluable cultural and historic places for sustainable futures.

Opportunities and Needs

Phase One Work

Through its first phase, This project has responded to the shared challenges faced by many of the region’s historic sacred places as their architecture, arts, and traditions are increasingly at risk.

Emily Sadjak, Director of Rural Initiatives, and Harshaw Chapel staff talking during a site visit.
Emily Sajdak, Director of Rural Initiatives, and Harshaw Chapel staff talking during a site visit.
Bewley Chapel in Russelville, TN.
Exterior of Bewley Chapel in Russelville, TN.
Sanctuary of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherford, NC.
Sanctuary of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherford, NC.

Phase 2: 2022-2025

In 2022 the project was renewed for another three-year cycle. For this new phase, Partners for Sacred Places is seeking to identify and invite a new cohort of sacred places across Central Appalachia. The program will help 10-12 congregations (or nonprofit organizations) that own and care for historic sacred places:

Strengthen Capacity

their capacity by learning how to tell a church’s story to the community, take better care of historic buildings, and engage with neighbors to develop wide support for an historic sacred place.

Continuing the Folk Art Tradition

We will also select approximately four sacred places from the first cohort in order to support the creation of new works of folk art and crafts for their historic buildings

Access planning grants

planning grants of $2,000-$7,500 (with a 1:2 in kind or cash match) and capital grants of $5,000-$15,000 (with a 1:1 in-kind or cash match) to support successful repair and restoration projects for their buildings and elements of folk arts and crafts.

Leverage their assets

like their history, culture, and community programs — along with local artists, civic leaders, and organizations to forge new connections, partnerships, and funding opportunities.

News & Updates

All News & Updates
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July 28, 2026

PA Faithful Fund Announces First Cohort!

We are thrilled to announce the cohort of the new PA Faithful Fund, which supports rural historic religious buildings in Pennsylvania.
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June 26, 2026

Decoration As Vocation

Sacred Places Magazine, Summer 2026. In this interview, David Riccio discusses how traditional craftsmanship, family, and deep faith shaped the award-winning transformation of a Norwalk chapel for its vibrant community.
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June 26, 2026

Faith on the Avenue

Sacred Places Magazine, Summer 2026. Researchers, Katie Day and Marquisha Scott, track 15 years of change across Philadelphia's 8.5-mile Germantown Avenue, revealing how sacred spaces are adapting, shrinking, and renewing amidst urban transformation.