We are excited to announce the winners of our photo contest!

In honor of our 35th anniversary, Partners for Sacred Places held a national photo contest with the theme “Sacred Places at the Heart of Communities.” Amateurs and professionals alike entered their original photos and a jury has selected one grand prize winner as well as three category winners from the categories: Spiritual Moments; Education and Service; Open Space; and Arts and Community Events.

In addition to those jury winners, the public voted to select “People’s Choice” winners for each category. See the winning photos below!

Grand Prize Winner

“With Palms Raised” (pictured above) by Charlie Friedlander, from the Spiritual Moments category

Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City, NY

Jury Winners

Arts and Community Events

“Thoughtful Meditation” by Jessi Goodwin

A young man sketches by a stained glass window.

A student takes a moment from the busy world of an urban school setting to meditate in peace on the beauty and design of the stained glass of a historic building.

Historic Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ, Nashville, TN

Open Space

“Valley Grove at Night” by Margit Carson Johnson

Exterior of Valley Grove Church at dusk with the lights shining through the windows.

The Valley Grove 1862 stone church at dusk

Valley Grove churches, Nerstrand, MN

Education and Service

“Feeding the Soul” by Susan Keeter

A volunteer in an apron stands in the doorway of a church kitchen, smiling.

Wednesday night suppers, Sunday dinners for shut-ins, and holiday breakfasts feed the hungry and nourish the soul. Audrey Zaccarya is the chef behind all these meals which are cooked in a church kitchen.

Grace Episcopal Church, Syracuse, NY

People’s Choice Winners

Arts and Community Events

“Love is Magic” by Susan Keeter

A youth choir performs on a church altar with arms raised.

The Magical Musical Squad performs for Bishop Michael Curry. The Squad sang several songs, including the original “Love is” which they wrote for the bishop; and “This Little Light of Mine”, a classic which the bishop also sang during his sermon.

Grace Episcopal Church, Utica, NY

Education and Service

“Foundation Learning of Tomorrow’s Faith Leaders” by Kate Faas

A group of students take a class on the front steps of a church.

High school students interested in vocational ministry, from around the US and Canada, assemble on the church steps to learn New Testament lessons.

Luther Memorial Church, Des Moines, IA

Open Space

“The Path to Faith” by Jennifer Barton 

An arched pathway of trees leads to a church.

On a dreary August day, a lone passerby stops at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence, RI, to snap a photo of the 150-year-old church at the heart of the city.

Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul Providence, RI

Spiritual Moments

“Windows Reflecting on the Journey” by Judi Tyler

Light shines through a stained glass window onto an indoor prayer labyrinth.

The stained glass window reflects light upon the journey.

Unity Lutheran Church Southgate, MI

Each jury and “People’s Choice” winner will receive a prize of $500, and the grand prize winner will receive $1000. Congratulations to all, and thank you for entering!