Preservation Grants Fund Repairs for Historic Chicago Churches

by sarah_bauder | February 25, 2025 6:00 pm

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Landmarks Illinois, a membership-based, historic preservation nonprofit organization, has awarded $20,000 USD in grants to help preserve two historic church buildings in Chicago South Side communities. The grants through the Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side will help make necessary repairs to Beautiful Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Englewood and to the former Reformation Lutheran Church in Roseland, which was also once home to President Barack Obama’s South Side office.

The Landmarks Illinois Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side provides planning and capital matching grants to support organizations and people working to preserve the history, culture, and architecture of Chicago’s South Side, where Mr. Black, an acclaimed civil rights leader, author, and historian spent much of his life living and promoting African American history.

A $10,000 Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side grant will help pay for critical masonry repairs at Beautiful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, which has served as a cornerstone of the community for over a century. The structure’s striking Neoclassical-style limestone facade, metal roof components, and metal windows require restoration to prevent further deterioration.

In addition, a $10,000 Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side grant has also been awarded to help Onyx360 NFP stabilize and reuse the former Reformation Lutheran Church. The church was designed by famed Pullman architect Solon S. Beman in the late 1880s and once housed President Barack Obama’s South Side office when he worked as a community organizer. Following necessary repairs, Onyx360 NFP plans to open a health and wellness center at the former church.

Grants through the Landmarks Illinois Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side range from $500 to $10,000 USD each, depending on need. The grant program is open to both nonprofits and for-profit entities. Grants are awarded on a 3:1 matching basis. Grant application deadlines are twice a year: July 1 and January 1.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/daily-news/grants-historic-churches/

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