Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne will receive $66,350 for roof and bell tower repairs as part of $2.4 million in grants for houses of worship across Indiana. Photo from Google Maps.
Press release
FORT WAYNE – Fourteen historic houses of worship across Indiana will share $2.4 million in grants from Indiana Landmarks' Sacred Places Indiana Fund to address critical repair and preservation needs. Launched in 2023 with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the initiative aims to help communities preserve and modernize their landmarks.
Fort Wayne and South Bend churches are among those receiving strong support. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne received $66,350 to replace its roof membrane and restore the bell tower and chimney of its 1929 building. In South Bend, Our Lady of Hungary received $100,000 to upgrade heating and cooling systems and preserve the sanctuary murals, while St. Thomas More Academy received $125,000 for installation modern air conditioning systems in the St. Hedwig Church from 1883.
Other awards include $400,000 to the Diocese of Gary for masonry repairs at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels and $285,000 to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Evansville for roof replacement.
Grants also went to communities in Centerville, Columbus, New Albany, Vincennes, Olean, Valparaiso and Indianapolis.
The Sacred Places Indiana Fund awards matching grants through a competitive process, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrate strong leadership, stable membership and community engagement. Eligible communities must be prepared to begin and complete fundraising and construction within two years.
By supporting these preservation efforts, Indiana Landmarks seeks to help ensure historic churches remain important centers of faith and community life. For more information about the program, visit indianalandmarks.org/sacred-places-indiana.