We are often contacted by Pennsylvanians looking for assistance to help them preserve a historic place of worship in their community. When I learned of this new program by Partners for Sacred Places, I asked Emily Sajdak, Partners Director of Rural Initiatives, to provide our readers with some information about this opportunity. I’m happy to share the following…
Historic religious properties across rural Pennsylvania serve as far more than places of worship—they are community anchors that host concerts, provide childcare, operate food pantries, and offer social services. The Pennsylvania’s Faithful Fund exists to help ensure that these vital buildings remain standing for generations to come and continue to offer critical support for their communities.
Hosanna A.U.M.P. Church and Cemetery, Upper Oxford Township, Chester County
About the Grant
With $550,000 available to preserve these sacred places, the Fund provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 for crucial repairs to roofs, towers, walls, and windows. Participating organizations also receive training in project planning, community engagement, and space sharing—ensuring preservation efforts strengthen both historic architecture and economic resilience.
The Pennsylvania’s Faithful Fund is supported through a grant from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants) as administered by the National Park Service Department of the Interior.
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- Zion Evangelical Church, Tamaqua. Image from Partners for Sacred Places and PA SHPO files. February 2022.
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- Old Zion German Reformed Church, Elizabeth. Image from Partners for Sacred Places and PA SHPO files. December 2021.
To qualify
To qualify, the building must be in a Pennsylvania community with a population under 7,500 and must also be listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Recipients will raise a 50% match of their awarded grant amount, demonstrating community investment in these projects.
Applicants can use SearchLite or PA-SHARE to find out if their property is listed in the National Register or has been previously evaluated. If not, applicants should request a Determination of Eligibility no later than December 10, 2025. More information about the National Register program in Pennsylvania is available on PHMC’s website.
Map created by Partners for Sacred Places showing distribution of religious properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, March 2024.
Deadline & More Information
The application deadline is January 9, 2026. For more information visit https://sacredplaces.org/our-services/regional-projects/pennsylvanias-faithful-fund/ or contact Emily Sajdak at esajdak@sacredplaces.org.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mifflin. Image from Partners for Sacred Places and PA SHPO files. September 2022.
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very happy to learn this information.