A $500,000 challenge grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts and a $350,000 grant from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program have been awarded to the preservation trust, a non-religious non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of the historic church buildings and burial grounds.

Christ Church is a privately managed site and an official component of Independence National Historical Park -- located in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood, four blocks from Independence Mall. The church is still a strong, active parish today with approximately 500 members, according to a February 26 news release. After more than 280 years, Christ Church still provides social, economic, cultural and religious enrichment to the greater Philadelphia community.
 
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the Pew Charitable Trusts' President and CEO Rebecca Rimel and Independence National Historic Park Superintendent Dennis Reidenbach were at an event at Christ Church February 26 as officials announced the grants and discussed their significance to the city and the preservation community at large.

The two grants will support Christ Church's $2.5-million preservation master plan, including the second phase of a fire-protection system for all of the interior areas and conservation of the deteriorating building envelope/structure. Since Pew made its challenge grant, Christ Church has raised $600,000. The two grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts and Save America's Treasures added to the money that has been raised prior to the challenge grant now bringing the total amount raised to $2 million (of the $2.5 million goal). An additional $500,000 in new commitments is needed by March 31.

Both grants are intended to encourage the public and private sectors -- corporations and individual citizens -- to invest in the critical preservation of a historic landmark that continues to serve its original function. The $2.5-million preservation master plan is part of a larger $10-million capital campaign that has also received donations and grants. Repairing, preserving and protecting the historic structure and burial ground require ongoing funding.

"The Pew Charitable Trusts is proud to support the preservation of this important historic landmark," said Rebecca Rimel, Pew president and CEO, in the release. "Christ Church played a critical role in the birth of our country, and we want to help ensure that this treasure remains part of Philadelphia for generations to come."

Specter said supporting efforts to get funding from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures was very important to him since he is committed to preserving one of Philadelphia's most historic landmarks.

The grant from Save America's Treasures was the second largest grant given nationally in 2006, according to Reidenbach.

Individual donors and businesses have also joined efforts to help Christ Church meet its fundraising goals. Charles Beach Barlow, a former Philadelphian who continues to support Christ Church preservation from Connecticut, has made a significant donation to the campaign, according to the news release. The architectural firm KieranTimberlake Associates, a Philadelphia architecture firm, pledged $100,000 toward the preservation plan.

"Our contribution puts forth a challenge to other businesses in our city that could help to preserve this landmark so critical to tourism in the greater Independence Hall/Liberty Bell area," said James Timberlake, a founding partner of the firm and an active member of Christ Church.

Christ Church was founded in 1695, and the current building dates from 1727. It was the tallest building in the colonies and the United States for 75 years thereafter. When the capital was in Philadelphia, it was the Sunday meeting place for the politicians and merchants who ran the young country. An early rector, William White, later became the Episcopal Church's first Presiding Bishop and chief architect of its constitution.

During the Revolutionary Era, Christ Church welcomed the Continental Congresses. Benjamin and Deborah Franklin and Betsy Ross were parishioners. Later, George Washington and John Adams attended services while serving as the nation's presidents. Seven signers of the Declaration of Independence, including Benjamin Franklin, five signers of the Constitution, and ten Philadelphia mayors are buried at the church.

The exterior of the church -- especially the church's steeple (thought to be the oldest wooden structure of its type in Philadelphia) -- has been an icon of the city's eastern skyline, visible to countless Philadelphians and visitors. Christ Church's historic site also plays a meaningful role in Philadelphia's ongoing efforts to develop heritage tourism as an economic stimulus with its growing number of tourists visiting the site each year (more than 300,000 visits per year). It is among the 10 most frequently visited sites in the Philadelphia region, according to the news release.

While Christ Church is a destination for history enthusiasts and Philadelphia tourists, it is still an active Episcopal Church and community center.

"For the 500 members that form the Church congregation, the proposed preservation work will guarantee they and future generations can continue to worship at this historic landmark," said the Rev. Timothy Safford, rector of Christ Church.