NATIONAL GRANT AWARDED
First Presbyterian Church of Fargo Awarded $175,000 National Fund for Sacred Places Grant
Kirkin O' the tartans
To experience our historic church at it's finest, check out our special heritage service on November 3, 2024 at 9am and 11am.
Fargo, ND – First Presbyterian Church of Fargo has been selected as one of 24 congregations nationwide to receive a prestigious grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with National Trust for Historic Preservation. The $175,000 matching grant will help address critical restoration and preservation needs of the historic downtown church, which has been an integral part of Fargo’s religious and cultural landscape since its founding in 1877. This funding is a vital part of the church’s broader $410,000 capital improvement plan, ensuring the continued preservation of this community landmark.
First Presbyterian Church is steeped in Fargo’s history, representing the early days of westward expansion. Established by Rev. Oscar H. Elmer with guidance from the St. Paul Presbytery, the church served as a vital hub for settlers moving into the area. The congregation’s beginnings in a small but growing community of 700 reflect the broader historical trends that shaped the Midwest. As Fargo flourished due to its strategic position on the Northern Pacific Railway and the fertile lands of the Red River Valley, First Presbyterian became a beacon of Christian faith and community.
First Presbyterian’s history is also intertwined with the story of Indigenous displacement. The arrival of settlers, supported by acts like the Homestead Act of 1862, significantly disrupted the Dakota, Lakota, and Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) peoples' traditional ways of life. In acknowledgment of its complex past, First Presbyterian has taken steps to support Indigenous peoples locally and globally, and this grant will enable the church to continue building on its legacy of outreach and reconciliation.
The award from the National Fund for Sacred Places comes after a rigorous two-round application process, which highlighted not only the church’s historical significance but also its essential role in the Fargo community today. One key program that stood out in the application was the Heart N Soul Community Café, an independent nonprofit that addresses food insecurity by offering healthy, locally sourced meals on a pay-what-you-can basis. The café, which utilizes office and kitchen space at the church, serves thousands of meals annually to individuals from all walks of life, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and community. The church's partnership with Heart N Soul, as well as other outreach efforts with local shelters and non-profits, illustrates the congregation’s ongoing commitment to service and support for the city’s most vulnerable populations.
The funds from the National Fund for Sacred Places will support several crucial projects, including the replacement of the church’s deteriorating limestone front steps, repairs to water-damaged areas around the entrance, and the installation of exterior architectural lighting for aesthetic and safety reasons. Additionally, the church will replace its outdated chiller system with a more energy-efficient model. These updates are vital not only to preserve the building’s historic character but also to ensure the safety and comfort of its congregation and visitors.
“These funds will allow us to restore and preserve this sacred space, which has stood as a symbol of faith and community for nearly 150 years,” said the Rev. Sarah Bigwood, Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church. “We are deeply grateful to the National Fund for Sacred Places for their support, which ensures that our historic church will continue to serve as a place of worship, community, and outreach for generations to come.”
With the project slated for completion by fall 2025, First Presbyterian Church is poised to continue its legacy of faith, service, and community engagement well into the future. To learn more about this program and this year's grant recipients, visit fundforsacredplaces.org. Check out our press release.
First Presbyterian Church is steeped in Fargo’s history, representing the early days of westward expansion. Established by Rev. Oscar H. Elmer with guidance from the St. Paul Presbytery, the church served as a vital hub for settlers moving into the area. The congregation’s beginnings in a small but growing community of 700 reflect the broader historical trends that shaped the Midwest. As Fargo flourished due to its strategic position on the Northern Pacific Railway and the fertile lands of the Red River Valley, First Presbyterian became a beacon of Christian faith and community.
First Presbyterian’s history is also intertwined with the story of Indigenous displacement. The arrival of settlers, supported by acts like the Homestead Act of 1862, significantly disrupted the Dakota, Lakota, and Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) peoples' traditional ways of life. In acknowledgment of its complex past, First Presbyterian has taken steps to support Indigenous peoples locally and globally, and this grant will enable the church to continue building on its legacy of outreach and reconciliation.
The award from the National Fund for Sacred Places comes after a rigorous two-round application process, which highlighted not only the church’s historical significance but also its essential role in the Fargo community today. One key program that stood out in the application was the Heart N Soul Community Café, an independent nonprofit that addresses food insecurity by offering healthy, locally sourced meals on a pay-what-you-can basis. The café, which utilizes office and kitchen space at the church, serves thousands of meals annually to individuals from all walks of life, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and community. The church's partnership with Heart N Soul, as well as other outreach efforts with local shelters and non-profits, illustrates the congregation’s ongoing commitment to service and support for the city’s most vulnerable populations.
The funds from the National Fund for Sacred Places will support several crucial projects, including the replacement of the church’s deteriorating limestone front steps, repairs to water-damaged areas around the entrance, and the installation of exterior architectural lighting for aesthetic and safety reasons. Additionally, the church will replace its outdated chiller system with a more energy-efficient model. These updates are vital not only to preserve the building’s historic character but also to ensure the safety and comfort of its congregation and visitors.
“These funds will allow us to restore and preserve this sacred space, which has stood as a symbol of faith and community for nearly 150 years,” said the Rev. Sarah Bigwood, Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church. “We are deeply grateful to the National Fund for Sacred Places for their support, which ensures that our historic church will continue to serve as a place of worship, community, and outreach for generations to come.”
With the project slated for completion by fall 2025, First Presbyterian Church is poised to continue its legacy of faith, service, and community engagement well into the future. To learn more about this program and this year's grant recipients, visit fundforsacredplaces.org. Check out our press release.
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