[MassHistPres] grants for a historical church

[Jack LeMenager]

Check on the ownership of the church building. In New England, many old churches date back to times when towns held title, or at least partial title. 

In Winchester, the clock in the spire of the First Congregational Church was on the fritz. Fixing it would cost around $12,000. The congregation did not have the money. A member of the Winchester Historical Commission did some research and found that the clock in fact was owned by the town, dating back to the mid-1800s. No one in a position of authority in the town knew that. But we proved it to the Select Board, so the town footed the repair bill. 

I would think in circumstances like that, CPA funds could be used. I also agree with Mr. Sullivan. Exterior work funded by CPA that doesn’t engage in the sacred mission of the church should be all right. 

Jack LeMenager
Chair, Winchester Historical Commission

> On Jan 7, 2025, at 5:06 PM, Sullivan, Charles M. via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
> 
> Judy,
>  
> Interpretations differ. We believe the SJC decision has the effect of only prohibiting use of CPA funds to restore windows with religious iconography. Many stained glass windows contain secular figures or geometric patterns of colored glass, and we continue to grant CPA funds to restore those.
>  
> Charles Sullivan
> ___________________________
> Charles Sullivan, Executive Director
> Cambridge Historical Commission
> 831 Massachusetts Avenue
> Cambridge, Mass.  02139
> 617 349-4684
>  
>  
> From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>> On Behalf Of Judy Markland via MassHistPres
> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 3:47 PM
> To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
> Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] grants for a historical church
>  
> Olivia,
> 
> Many communities have funded CPA projects for restoration work on churches.  The work must be for restoration of the building itself, rather than for any religious components of the building.  Thus plain glass windows may typically be restored with CPA funds, but not stained glass windows.  The Community Preservation Coalition has an informative piece on the state court decision <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.communitypreservation.org/home/news/ma-supreme-judicial-court-issues-decision-acton-lawsuit__;!!GolgDdAAPFHvrrz0!dZzVWXBOM5MHH2x2cos0oEHwqmvMZHyOaq6RqDPqMZ8x4zyti_mvx2N6XYmOikjYH16bHYHhMcTQUnVY4u2Ag8HWW9YA4_os$> on this matter and its interpretation.  They advise that any CPA application for work on religious structures be reviewed by municipal counsel before approval.
> 
> Judy
> 
> On 1/6/2025 12:27 PM, Olivia Davis Mausel via MassHistPres wrote:
> Any suggestions for a restoration grant for an historic church here in Holyoke.
> Many doors are closed to this 'Iglesia' because of its religious affiliation....denied by local CPA, and state mandates. Sacred Places is not an option- either.
> Thank you for any information/suggestions that you can provide.
> Olivia Mausel
> Holyoke, MA
> 
> 
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