[MassHistPres] grants for a historical church

[Sullivan, Charles M.]

Most historic churches exhibit a mixture of window styles, depending on a variety of factors including the practices of the various denominations that have owned the buildings and the prosperity of their congregations over time.

Since 2005 the Cambridge Historical Commission has used CPA funds to assist more than thirty churches and synagogues with envelope repairs, including - on the advice of our City Solicitor - window restoration when appropriate under the terms of the SJC's decision in the Acton case.

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> on behalf of SAMUEL R BLAIR via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 1:30 PM
To: Judy Markland <jmarkland at lmstrategies.com>; Judy Markland via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] grants for a historical church

But doesn't that disadvantage religious groups who use and always have used religious iconography? Wouldn't that violate the 14th Amendment?

Samuel R. Blair
AIA emeritus
Fitchburg
On 01/07/2025 3:47 PM EST Judy Markland via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:



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!aqDMvF2D8RxbKPCMNg_7E5Bo178Feby5YuGdjXJtOQDq5IvcCG9qA0hBR1IskaYeLWTlKu1c5I9URWGCYV9AL4eisr6iax8m$> 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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