Health

Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hamilton Heights Receives Sacred Sites Grant

The New York Landwhich was constructed in million to 824 religious in- marks Conservancy 1909 to the designs of John stitutions statewide. has announced 21 Boese. The congregation The New York Land- Sacred Sites Grants total- reaches over 600 people a marks Conservancy, a pri- ing $337,000 awarded to year through community vate non-profit organiza- historic religious proper- activities such as concerts, tion, has led the effort to ties throughout New York two tenant congregations, preserve and protect New State, including $50,000 to community meetings, a York City’s architectural Mt. Zion Evangelical Lu- street fair, holiday gift and legacy for more than 45 theran Church in Hamilfood distribution to nearby years. Since its founding, ton Heights to help fund families. the Conservancy has loaned masonry façade restoration “Our current grantees and granted more than $52 and foundation stabiliza- have social service pro- million, which has lever- tion. grams that reach 53,000 aged more than $1 billion

Mt. Zion Lutheran people across New York in 1,550 restoration proj- Church was designed by State,” said Peg Breen, ects throughout New York, architect Joseph Wolf, who President, The New York revitalizing communities, trained under architect Landmarks Conservancy. providing economic stim- Richard Morris Hunt, and “Our grants help keep these ulus and supporting local completed in 1888 for the institutions viable, allowing jobs. The Conservancy Hamilton Grange Reform them to continue feeding has also offered countless Church. Mt. Zion acquired programs, day care, thrift hours of pro bono technical the church in 1946. The stores, and recovery meet- advice to building owners, church was probably in- ings.” “In this time of ex- both nonprofit organiza- tended as a temporary chap- treme need,” she added, “it tions and individuals. The el, and is relatively modest is even more important to Conservancy’s work has in design and materials. help these congregations saved more than a thousand Eclectic Gothic Revival continue to serve their com- buildings across the City in style, this low, one-andmunities.” and State, protecting New a-half-story, gable-roof The Sacred Sites Pro- York’s distinctive architec- church has a single-height, gram provides congrega- tural heritage for residents pointed-arch entryway in tions with matching grants and visitors alike today, and the center of the façade, for planning and imple- for future generations. For above which is a trio of lan- menting exterior resto- more information, please cet windows. The church ration projects, technical visit www.nylandmarks. complex also includes assistance, and workshops. org. a four-story, limestone, Since 1986, the program Photo Courtesy of The Gothic Revival style parish has pledged 1,547 grants New York Landmarks Con- house and school building, totaling more than $11.8 servancy