Upper West Side church receives Sacred Sites grant

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 13 Sacred Sites Grants totaling $200,000 awarded to historic religious properties throughout New York State, including a Robert W. Wilson Sacred Sites Challenge Grant of $30,000 to Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, United Methodist on the Upper West Side to assist with the repair and restoration of marble steps.

Completed in 1897, the eclectic design of Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, United Methodist was by architect Robert H. Robertson. The church, on W. 86th Street, was a key work in his career and was in the forefront of the 1890s. It currently shares space with three other congregations and has long been a center for community and social service activities. The facility houses over 40 community and cultural organizations, serving over 4,000 people a week.

Applications for the next round of Sacred Sites grants must be postmarked by June 1, 2014. For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.

The Conservancy said will was grateful to the late Robert W. Wilson for his support of its Sacred Sites program. His gifts have helped some 120 religious institutions across the state with major restoration projects.