A major national fund is giving $5 million to protect endangered Black churches. These churches are pillars of American history. The money aims to preserve their legacy for future generations.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced the grants. Significantly, it made the announcement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Five historic churches will each receive $1 million for preservation.
Historic Black Churches Awarded Major Preservation Grants
The selected churches are landmarks in the civil rights movement. First African Baptist Church in Beaufort, South Carolina is included. Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago is another recipient.
Also receiving grants are Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles and Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia. Finally, Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma will get crucial funding. Each institution played a unique role in shaping national history.
Executive Director Highlights Churches’ Multifaceted Legacies
Brent Leggs leads the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. He explained the profound importance of these sites. “These churches represent multifaceted legacies spanning critical moments in American history and culture,” Leggs said.
He credited a key partnership for making the grants possible. “Thanks to generous funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and our team’s strategic partnership, the Action Fund is ensuring that these historic churches can continue to exist as civic spaces of faith, education, beauty, and belonging for generations to come.”
National Trust for Historic Preservation Drives the Effort
The Action Fund is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This organization works to protect America’s diverse cultural sites. It was chartered by Congress back in 1949.
The National Trust partners with communities nationwide. Its mission is to save historic places and educate the public. Furthermore, it uses preservation to address modern community challenges.
Black Churches as Cornerstones of Community and Change
Historically Black churches have always been more than just houses of worship. They have served as headquarters for social change. Additionally, they stand as powerful symbols of resilience and cultural achievement.
For example, Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles is a major hub. It has hosted NAACP conventions and iconic leaders. Both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X have spoken there.
Grant Recipients Include Key Civil Rights Landmarks
Each church has a stunning story. Roberts Temple in Chicago hosted Emmett Till’s funeral in 1955. That event galvanized the civil rights movement.
Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia holds a unique distinction. It sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by Black Americans. Founded in 1794, it is the birthplace of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination.
Church Leaders Express Profound Gratitude for Funding
Reverend Carolyn C. Cavaness pastors Mother Bethel AME Church. She shared her thanks for the $1 million grant. “We are profoundly grateful for this generous…grant,” she said in a statement.
“This contribution demonstrates the commitment to the historical significance of this landmark as a beacon for social justice and a critical institution in the founding of America,” Cavaness added. The funds will empower the church’s ongoing vital community work.
