Central Presbyterian Church Awarded Grant
Submitted by Jeanne Thiemann
Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, is the first church in New Jersey and one of only 16 churches nationwide to be awarded a matching preservation grant of up to $250,000 from The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program managed by Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. To receive the $250,000 grant, Central Church must raise $500,000 and is asking the community to help them achieve this goal.
Capital Campaign Committee chair Betsy Phillips stated, “having celebrated our 150th Anniversary last year, we are honored to be recognized nationally as a vibrant congregation with one of the most significant and community minded ‘sacred places’ in America, committed to offering our building, hospitality, and missions not only to our own congregation, but to community organizations looking for ‘shared space’ in the heart of Summit.”
Since the inception of their capital campaign in 2018, Central has improved lighting, added air-conditioning in the auditorium and installed an ADA accessible ramp – improvements that make space more appealing as a “home” to outside organizations. Grant proceeds from the National Fund will be used towards restoration of the “Christ Blessing the Children” stained glass window that fittingly faces the Lawton C. Johnson Middle School, masonry work and the renovation of Central’s community kitchen which is used by dozens of local organizations including Family Promise, Community Vacation Bible School, AA, BRIDGES and S.H.I.P. (Summit Helping Its People).
Capital Campaign Committee Member George Ross added “what an exciting time in the life of Central Church. This grant will enable us to continue to be CENTRAL to our community, forging deeper mission partnerships by enhancing our facilities on the Summit Village Green.”
Currently Central Church invites all to join us for live worship on the lawn at 70 Maple Street on Sundays at 10 a.m. (as weather permits) or by our pre-taped, broadcasted services on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. via YouTube or live on Facebook.
To support Central’s campaign please go to Centralpres.org or send a check to “Capital
Campaign Committee Phase 2” in the memo line to 70 Maple Street, Summit, NJ 07901.
Photo by Central Presbyterian Church
