Richmond, Indiana, First Presbyterian Church receives $94,000 in grants for roof replacement

Richmond’s First Presbyterian Church received a capital grant and a planning grant from Sacred Places Indiana, which supports historic houses of worship. Sacred Places dispersed a total of $2.5 million to 16 congregations.

The church, located at 100 N. 10th St., was awarded $84,000 for capital work and $10,000 for planning to support a full roof replacement. The work protects the interior of the church’s 1886 building and its Tiffany stained-glass window.

Ashley Stephen, a member of the church board, said the congregation was greatly appreciative of Sacred Places’ support in maintaining as much of the historic building as possible.

Stephen said she first heard of Sacred Places four years ago, when she was a supporter of its parent organization, Indiana Landmarks. After the church took part in a four-part planning program, it applied in 2025 for the roof and other projects. That application was denied. The church applied again in the spring of the following year, this time prioritizing only the roof work. The grant was approved in September, and the roof was completed on Oct. 28.

Stephen said the grant agreement required the church to match $1 for every $2 that Sacred Places provided, a total of $42,000. A recent property sale and a $20,000 grant from the Smock Foundation left the congregation needing to raise only $1,000 from its members and the surrounding community.

Stephen said the church was thankful that Sacred Places expedited its process to address current leaks and shingle damage. First Presbyterian houses the nonprofit Bridges for Life, and the congregation wanted to ensure that the program’s weekly dinners were not interrupted by avoidable hazards, a practical act of hospitality that keeps the table open to neighbors (Matthew 25:35).

“As a congregation, we will move forward the best we can to preserve our historic building,” Stephen said. He hopes to address other projects within the next year.

According to a press release, the next round of Sacred Places grant applications and New Dollars/New Partners training open in January 2027. More information is available at www.indianalandmarks.org/sacred-places-indiana.

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