The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded $8.5 million in grants to 30 historically Black churches across America. This funding, part of the third annual Preserving Black Churches grant program, will help these sacred spaces address preservation issues and protect their historical significance. The 2025 grants range between $50,000 and $500,000 per church.
Historic Black Churches: Cornerstones of Community and Change
Historic Black churches have long served as cornerstones of communities and safe spaces amid social change. These faith centers have played a key role in shaping Black American history through their resilience and presence.
Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Fund, described the grant investment as “an honor.” He stated, “We are honored to support the ongoing legacies of these churches, which have stood at the forefront of social progress for generations.”
$60 Million Initiative Provides Critical Preservation Support
The grants form part of a larger $60 million initiative designed to provide church leadership and congregations with both financial resources and technical expertise. This support will address crucial preservation issues such as threats of demolition and needed maintenance.
“This $8.5 million investment marks a critical step in safeguarding historically Black churches as enduring symbols of faith, strength, and community leadership,” Leggs added. “By preserving them, we ensure that their powerful presence continues to live on in their communities and inspire future generations.”
Notable Recipients Span Multiple States and Denominations
Among the 2025 recipients are St. Paul United AME Church and the Historic Bethel Baptist Church Community in Birmingham, Alabama. Other recipients include Boynton United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas; the A.M.E. Zion Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; and New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
These churches represent various denominations, highlighting the program’s commitment to preserving Black religious heritage across different faith traditions. The funding, supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., will help these churches continue their important work.
Soapstone Baptist Church: Protecting a “Special Place” in History
Soapstone Baptist Church in Pickens County, South Carolina, received $250,000 in grants from the program. The site carries special historical significance, with grounds that include not only a church but also a one-room school, slave cemetery, and rock outcrops used by the Cherokee nation for centuries.
The Soapstone Preservation Endowment (SPE) will work alongside the Preserving Black Churches program to protect this historical treasure. SPE Chairman Carlton Owen expressed gratitude for the funding.
“When we began our work, few believed that we could ever achieve an audacious $1 million goal. Yet, in less than three years and with the benefit of this generous award, we stand within sight of the finish line,” Owen said. “We have faith that God will continue to bless this important work as we seek to obtain the remaining $200,000 needed to forever protect and promote this special place in South Carolina history.”
