.png)
Grants for Historic Faith Communities
Twenty-four historic faith communities across the U.S. have been awarded a combined $4 million from the National Fund for Sacred Places to support restoration efforts. This initiative aims to preserve the architectural and cultural significance of religious buildings, ensuring they remain vibrant centers for worship and community activities. The grants were awarded to two Reform synagogues and several Christian churches across the country.
In Brooklyn, three churches received grants totaling $90,000 from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. These grants will be used to carry out vital restoration projects and help keep aging structures safe and functional, while also maintaining their role as pillars of community life and heritage.
Celebration and Resilience
Resilience and celebration are at the heart of recent events in New York’s Jewish community.
After a bomb threat interrupted Kol Nidre services at at Town and Village Synagogue on the first night of Yom Kippur, congregants continued their prayers on the streets, transforming fear into a display of solidarity and faith. No injuries or arrests have been reported.
Meanwhile, the Chabad Jewish community gathered to celebrate Sukkot in a large 5,000-square-foot sukkah in Manhattan, highlighting joy and tradition. Thousands of young Chabad men and women gathered at the sukkah at Freedom Plaza on October 21st.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
In Maryland, a new legislative effort, House Bill 538, aims to repurpose vacant properties, including church land, to tackle the state’s housing crisis. The law creates incentives for religious organizations and nonprofits to convert unused spaces into affordable housing. This approach aims to address the housing shortage and give churches the opportunity to expand their community impact. The model follows similar initiatives nationwide, where underutilized church properties are being reimagined as solutions to critical social issues, reflecting a growing trend of faith-based participation in housing justice
Churches across the U.S. are turning unused land and buildings into affordable housing projects. In Nashville, a nonprofit has partnered with a local church to convert vacant land into housing for the underserved, demonstrating how faith organizations can address urgent social needs. Similarly, churches in other cities are rethinking how their properties can serve dual purposes—maintaining spiritual services while also providing practical solutions to housing shortages.
If you enjoy these weekly updates, please consider becoming a Bricks and Mortals member or making a contribution so we can continue to provide this and resources like it.
Sign up to join our mailing list and get these every week!
