Columbus church chosen for Sacred Places matching grant

A Columbus church will be eligible for a matching grant from the Indiana Landmarks Sacred Places Indiana Fund for vital renovations.

The preservation group announced yesterday that First Baptist Church is approved for $80,000 in matching funds to replace the roof and to repair window seals. The church on Fairlawn Drive was designed by Harry Weese and completed in 1965. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

First Baptist is one of 14 churches around the state to receive part of $2.4 million in funding from the Sacred Places grants this cycle. This is the third round of Sacred Places grants since the fund was started in 2024 with support from the Lilly Endowment.

According to the agency, churches can be eligible for the fund if they identify significant capital needs, have community support and are ready to undertake a capital campaign.

The matching grants are awarded in a competitive process. Congregations should complete a capital campaign and construction project within the next two years.

Photo courtesy of Indiana Landmarks.