Brockport United Methodist Church receives 2024 Sacred Sites Grant

The Brockport United Methodist Church is receiving a $15,000 Sacred Sites Grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The grant is one of 14 Sacred Sites totaling $228,000 that the New York Landmarks Conservancy is awarding to 14 historic religious properties throughout New York State.

Since 1986, the Sacred Sites Program has pledged nearly 1,700 grants totaling over $13.8 million to more than 850 religious institutions statewide. The program is said to provide congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, technical assistance, and workshops.

“We are delighted that our grants will help these diverse congregations maintain their buildings and continue to serve their communities with social service and cultural programs,” Peg Breen, the president of The New York Landmarks Conservancy, said. ”These 14 congregations reach 60,000 people beyond their congregations with no-cost or low-cost services.“

The $15,000 grant to the Brockport United Methodist Church will help fund a roof replacement. The church was reportedly designed from 1876 to 1877 by prominent Rochester architect Andrew Jackson Warner in partnership with James Goold Cutler. Outside the church's membership, it reaches around 550 people with activities like Cub Scout Pack, AA meetings, the Moms Club of Brockport, American Red Cross blood drives, winter clothing distribution, and a mini library.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy is a private non-profit organization that has worked to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for more than 50 years. Its website states, "From the smallest buildings to the most extraordinary landmarks, to our diverse neighborhoods, the New York Landmarks Conservancy is on the front lines—preserving and protecting the unique architectural heritage and character of the City we love."

Since its founding in 1973, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $62 million, leveraging almost $1 billion in nearly 2,000 restoration projects throughout New York.

For more information on the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Sacred Sites Grant, visit https://nylandmarks.org/what-we-do/grants-loans/sacred-sites/ .

— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones . She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brockport United Methodist Church receives 2024 Sacred Sites Grant