History & Landmarks Foundation Makes Historic Religious Properties Grants
By Ron DaParma
TRIBUNE-REVIEW REAL ESTATE WRITER
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Sixteen churches and a synagogue in Pittsburgh and in suburban communities and have received 2003 Historic Religious Properties Grants and Technical Assistance Awards from the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.
The program, now in its eighth year, is designed to help architecturally significant properties that provide social services to their neighborhoods, have viable congregations and can match the grant.
Grants, which range from $1,000 to $5,000, are to be used for architectural restoration projects. Examples of the work include repairing and restoring stained glass, roof repair, exterior painting, and in one case, the restoration of a church dome.
Technical assistance is directed to assisting congregations in prioritizing restoration projects and establishing preventative maintenance programs.
The program is funded by year-end gifts from Landmarks members and trustees and from general funds budgeted by the foundation.
In Pittsburgh, those receiving grants are: Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church and Calvary United Methodist Church, North Side; Bellefield Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, Oakland; Epiphany Church and the Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church, Hill District; First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, Shadyside; Our Lady of the Angels Parish (St. Augustine), Arsenal; Paole Zedeck Congregation, Squirrel Hill; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, downtown; and Valley View Presbyterian Church, East Liberty.
Suburban awardees are Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church, Etna; Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Castle Shannon; First English Lutheran Church of Sharpsburg, Sharpsburg; Old St. Luke’s, Scott Township; St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKees Rocks; and Zion Christian Church, Carrick.
Ron DaParma can be reached at rdaparma@tribweb.com or 412-320-7907.
This article appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review © Pittsburgh Tribune Review