Congregations open up their buildings to serve children, the hungry, the homeless and others in need. Sacred places stabilize neighborhoods, strengthen commercial districts and significantly add to the economic health of our communities. All of this is endangered, however, when congregations can no longer afford to maintain these aging buildings. Partners has developed a family of highly-acclaimed resources to help congregations connect better to their communities, raise capital funds in new ways and preserve their historic building for future generations. We are the nation's only non-sectarian, nonprofit organization dedicated the sound stewardship and active community use of America's older religious properties.
TEXAS CONGREGATION BECOMES FIRST RECIPIENT OF
 PSP’S NATIONAL FUND FOR SACRED PLACES

Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are pleased to announce the launch of an unprecedented $14 million National Fund for Sacred Places! The Fund is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Fund is supported by an Advisory Committee, bringing together faith leaders, architects, and philanthropists from across the country to inform the grant-making process. The Fund will provide up to $250,000 in capital grants (in addition to planning grants and tailored assistance) to at least 50 congregations of a diversity of faiths over four years.

We are excited that Divine Redeemer (DR) Presbyterian Church in San Antonio has been selected as the first fund recipient from Texas. This congregation, along with its partner House of Neighborly Service has served for 100 years in one of San Antonio’s most difficult barrios. Founded as a Sunday School class for refugees from the Mexican Revolution in 1914, it has maintained a distinct heart for ministering to some of the most vulnerable residents of San Antonio. Here you can read a condensed Case Study or the booklet “A Century of Service.”

Early participants at Divine Redeemer/House of Neighborly Service

DR recently participated in our New Dollars/New Partners training. It was a life-changing experience. Telling its story, understanding its assets more deeply, and reaching out for new funding and partners helped set the stage for this grant. Sharon Guerrero, one DR’s elders, says, "The time we spent with New Dollars/New Partners was so worthwhile. They provided a road map for our future."

Another unique aspect of DR is the pedigree of its mission-style sanctuary. Dedicated in 1951, it was designed by noted architect Harvey P. Smith, who had helped renovate both the Governor’s Mansion and two San Antonio Missions during the Depression. Smith was an early preservationist dedicated to restoring and maintaining the historical beauty and traditions of San Antonio. His legacy lives on today.

Exterior of DR today

DR will work to supplement this grant with a capital campaign of its own. Their excitement level is high, seen in these words from DR’s pastor, Reverend Rob Mueller:

“Divine Redeemer and our partner, House of Neighborly Service, are ecstatic to have been selected by the National Trust for the Preservation of Sacred Places initiative. About 3 ½ years ago we had an engineering firm look at the condition of our facility and discovered over $600,000 worth of necessary repairs and upgrades. That was incredibly discouraging, because as we looked at available resources, it felt impossible. This grant has turned the impossible into possible! Now we believe we can get our facility into a condition that makes it a delight to live and work in on a daily basis.”