Mexican-American landmark El Paso's Segundo Barrio chosen for restoration fund

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An iconic building in the El Paso's Segundo Barrio will undergo an expensive restoration.

The National Fund for Sacred Places announced it is awarding a $250,000 grant to restore the Sacred Heart Church.

More than 300 locations applied for the grant.

The church is one of five historic congregations across the United States to be awarded the maximum amount.

This project will be the first of its type in the Segundo Barrio National Register Historic District.

During these uncertain and turbulent times, both large and small congregations are being challenged to care for and share their historic buildings in new ways that benefit both members and their larger communities.

The Fund recognizes their contributions and seeks to support their efforts.

"The 15 sacred places selected to join our Fund this year are more than beautiful houses of worship. They are irreplaceable civic assets that provide invaluable resources to their communities, sharing space or everything from COVID-19 vaccinations to nutritional food programs and child care programs," said Bob Jaeger, President of Partners for Sacred Places. "I am so pleased that we have tailored programs that preserve and uplift civic assets to improve communities and enrich lives. Over the next few years, the team at Partners for Sacred Places will work closely and collaboratively with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help awardees to renovate their buildings so they can grow their ministries and thrive for many years to come."

The National Fund participants for the 2021-22 program year are:

• Amana Church Society (Middle Amana, IA)
• Arch Street United Methodist Church (Philadelphia, PA)
• Calvary United Methodist Church (Philadelphia, PA)
• First Christian Church (Columbus, IN)
• First Indian Presbyterian Church (Kamiah, ID)
• First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Grace Episcopal Church (Newton Corner, MA)
• Let Freedom Ring Foundation/First Baptist Church (Williamsburg, VA)
• Mount Zion UMC (Washington DC)
• Sacred Heart Parish (El Paso, TX)
• St. Stephen United Methodist Church (Mesquite, TX)
• St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church (Brooklyn, NY)
• St. John's Lafayette Square (Washington, DC)
• Tabernacle Baptist Church (Beaufort, SC)
• Washington National Cathedral (Washington, DC)

Visit the National Fund for Sacred Places’ website to learn more about the program, participants, and the value of sacred places in communities across the country.

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