At the same moment that Partners has conclusively demonstrated the critical role that congregations play in our communities, national trends of shrinking membership and limited finances have led to increasing numbers of church closings. This growing challenge demands a comprehensive solution: Strategic Investment in Sacred Places, a holistic approach that generates a comprehensive plan that leverages resources designed to employ a congregation's strengths. Read more about the program in this article from the Winter 2013 Sacred Places.

Location selected!

Partners has raised $150,000 of the match for the $180,000 grant we were awarded from the Knight Foundation to create the nation's first Theatrical Design Center, and we've found the perfect location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in South Philadelphia. Click to see some photos on Facebook of the site and from the charette we held to brainstorm ideas for the Design Center.

Partners and Urban Tree Connection are working together with Ward AME in Philadelphia to create a garden on land next to the church as part of our Food in Sacred Places pilot program. Volunteers from UTC, Ward, and Ursinus College came together recently to begin clearing land to make room for raised boxes. Visit UTC's Facebook page to see pictures and learn a little more about the project.

Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places

Partners has successfully brokered three partnerships between arts organizations and sacred places! To learn more about this exciting program, download the Arts in Sacred Places brochure or visit our AiSP page.

UPDATE: Preservation Pennsylvania Honors Non-profit

The Steeples Project, a non-profit that will oversee the care of three closed churches in Johnstown, was recently awarded the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission Annual Theme Award for its work to save these wonderful historic resources.

Read more about the award here, as well as the Steeples Project's press release. Then head to our Johnstown page for more on the whole story.