First Presbyterian Church of Fargo Receives $175,000 National Sacred Places Grant

Fargo, North Dakota – First Presbyterian Church of Fargo is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $175,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with National Trust for Historic Preservation. The church is one of only 24 recipients nationwide to receive this grant in 2024, which will be used to support critical preservation and restoration projects on the historic downtown Fargo building.

First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1871, has been a cornerstone of Fargo’s spiritual and cultural heritage for nearly 150 years. As one of the first churches established in the region, it holds a significant place in the history of the community and the broader Midwest. The grant will help the church address urgent structural and safety needs, ensuring its continued role as a gathering place for worship, outreach, and community activities.

The restoration projects include replacing the church’s deteriorating limestone front steps, repairing water damage around the entrance, and installing exterior lighting for safety and aesthetic purposes. Additionally, the grant will support the replacement of the outdated chiller system with a more efficient model, allowing the church to better serve its congregation and the Fargo-Moorhead community.

“We are honored to receive this generous grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places,” said Rev. Sarah Bigwood, Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church. “This funding will enable us to preserve the beauty and safety of our historic building while continuing to expand our outreach and mission in the community. First Presbyterian has always been a place where people find sanctuary and support, and these improvements will help ensure that our doors remain open to all for generations to come.”

The National Fund for Sacred Places supports the preservation of historic places of worship across the country, helping congregations like First Presbyterian maintain their buildings as vital centers for community service and spiritual growth.

First Presbyterian Church has a long history of community involvement, including partnerships with local organizations addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and veterans’ services. One of its most significant collaborations is with Heart N Soul Community Café, which operates out of the church’s kitchen and serves healthy, locally sourced meals on a pay-what-you-can basis. Programs like this, along with the church’s role in founding Churches United for the Homeless, demonstrate its deep commitment to serving Fargo’s most vulnerable residents.

Quotes:

• “We are thrilled to receive this matching grant which will help preserve the building for the inspiration of future generations.”  John and Sherri
• “Having served on the Building and Grounds committee at First Presbyterian Fargo for many years, I am keenly aware of how special this sacred place is, and how challenging it is to provide the constant care it requires. I’m thrilled and relieved that the National Sacred Places grant will allow us to tackle some projects that we could otherwise not afford, so that our community can continue to serve downtown Fargo and beyond.” Russell Ford-Dunker

The preservation work will begin in 2024, with the goal of completing the projects by fall 2025. First Presbyterian Church invites the community to join in supporting these efforts to preserve a treasured piece of Fargo’s history. To learn more about this program and this year’s grant recipients, visit fundforsacredplaces.org.

For more information, please contact:

Rev. Sarah M. Bigwood
Pastor, Head of Staff
First Presbyterian Church of Fargo
(701) 293-6311
sbigwood@firstpresfargo.org
firstpresfargo.org

First Presbyterian Church of Taos Receives $175,000 National Sacred Places Grant

Taos, New Mexico — First Presbyterian Church of Taos has been awarded a $92,500 matching capital grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places in Philadelphia, PA. The only New Mexico awardee this year, the church was chosen from among 500 applicants nationwide for its dedication to meeting the larger spiritual, social and economic needs of the community it serves and because of its classic Southwest Pueblo Mission architecture designed by New Mexico’s most noted architect, John Gaw Meem. (Read more here.) The church must raise $92,500 in matching funds from its small congregation and the larger community for the 2025-26 project.

The building project will allow the church to address key electrical, plumbing and exterior needs so that it can continue its ministry and mission in the community to address hunger, homelessness, local school support, 12-step recovery programs, medical debt relief and more. In 2022-23, the church opened its doors to serve as the emergency winter homeless shelter for Taos. 2024 marks the 150^th year of service since the church’s founding by followers of excommunicated priest Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, after his death.

“Our church’s mission has always been to express God’s love in Taos,” said Pastor Virginia “Ginna” Bairby. “Our building is the central hub for our worship and service. Over the years it’s also been home to many community groups. In a world of hurt, we seek to offer hope.”

“What a joy it is for today’s generations to be able to carry on the traditions of love and service in our beautiful building,” said church elder JoAnn Romero Ortiz. “As we work to raise the $92,500 match for the grant, we would be truly grateful for any support from beyond our small congregation.” For more information or to make an online donation see the church’s website.

About First Presbyterian Church of Taos

Founded in 1874, First Presbyterian Church of Taos is one of the oldest Protestant congregations in New Mexico with 80 active members and 25 “friends” who live in Taos part-time. Architectural writer Bainbridge Bunting regarded the Taos church as one of John Gaw Meem’s most successful ecclesiastical structures, noting that its plain form produces “a truly monumental effect.”

About the National Partners 

Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets that serve the broader community. Principal funding for the Partners for Sacred Places comes from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places and provides technical assistance to Sacred Places grantees.

For more information, please contact:

Rev. Virginia Bairby
Pastor, Head of Staff
First Presbyterian Church of Taos
575-779-7224
pastorginnabairby@gmail.com
firstpresbyteriantaos.com