The Peru Gazette

Peru Community Church

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 23 Sacred Sites Grants totaling $256,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including $5,000 to Peru Community Chuch in Peru, New York to help fund steeple repair and masonry restoration.

Peru Community Church was constructed in 1833 of locally quarried rubble sandstone by local mason Robert York.  The bell dates from 1947.  There is a diamond-shaped window in the gable end, and the multi-light double hung windows on all elevations are set within Gothic-arch openings.  In addition to worship, there is a nursery school, vacation bible school, exercise group, a knitting and sewing club, youth groups and scout troops, a 4-H group, AA meetings, summertime concerts, and the annual Christmas with Santa event.  The Lions Club uses the church for meeting space.  Combined these activities reach about 1,400 members of the community.

“We feel it is very important to help maintain religious structures that provide a sense of history and place to communities,” said Peg Breen, President, The New York Landmarks Conservancy.  “Many also provide social service and cultural programs that benefit people beyond their congregations. “

The Sacred Sites Program provides congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, technical assistance, and workshops.  Since 1986, the program has pledged over 1,493 grants totaling more than $11.1 million to almost 805 religious institutions statewide. 

The New York Landmarks Conservancy 

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for more than 45 years.  Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $52 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in 1,550 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs.  The Conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations and individuals.  The Conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the City and State, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations.  For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.