Preserving the Public Valueof Sacred Places

Parishes and their buildings play a keyrole in the life of our communities…

This role can be called the“public value” of sacred places.

Partners for Sacred Places

Why Should We Sustain HistoricSacred Places?

• Older churches help anchor ourstreetscapes, mark our skylines andoffer the best artistry and architecturein our neighborhoods

• Research data shows that urbancongregations open their buildings toserve people in need, often sacrificially

• Parishes and related entities such asschools add to the economic health andvitality of neighborhoods

Why Help Sacred Places NOW?

• Many community-servingcongregations face seriousrepair issues costing morethan they can afford

• Some are at risk of closure ordismantling piece by piece

• Partners’ work inPennsylvania, Texas andIllinois demonstrate how aprogram serving historicchurches can attract publicand private funding

Research: Documenting Public Value

• In the mid-1990s, Partnersembarked on a major publicpolicy study with Dr. RamCnaan and the University ofPennsylvania’s School ofSocial Policy and Practice

• 115 congregations surveyedin Philadelphia and fiveother cities

• First study in America todocument howcongregations serve thepublic, includingcontributions of space, staffand volunteer time, cash,utilities and in-kind support.

Research:Sacred Places at Risk Findings

81%

19%

More Sacred Places at Risk Findings• 93% of urban congregations open their doors to serve

outside members of the community

• Each congregation provides, on average, 5,300 hoursof volunteer service annually

• Value of space and resources put into programs isestimated at $200,000 per congregation

• 76% of all services provided are located within acongregation’s own building

Who Congregations Serve Most Often

Most Frequent Programs• Clothing Closets and Food

Pantries• Music performances• Partnerships with

Neighborhood Groups

Group Served Most Often• Children and Youth

•Makes Sacred Placesat Risk methodologyavailable tocongregations

•Helpscongregations writeand communicate anew case for theircommunity value

Research Made Practical:The Tool Kit and New Dollars

The toolkit was developed in 2002; New Dollars began in 2003

“Economic Halo Effect” of Sacred PlacesA Pilot Study

• Funded by the William PennFoundation, this project islooking into over 50 factorsthat describe a sacred place’scontribution to thecommunity

• Factors range from the valueof green space to theleveraging effect of capitalprojects.

• Partners is working againwith Dr Ram Cnaan,University of Pennsylvania

“Economic Halo Effect” of Sacred PlacesParticipating Parishes and Congregations

Congregations:• Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church• Arch Street United Methodist

Church• Visitation B.V.M. Church• Gloria Dei Church• Congregation Rodeph Shalom• First Baptist Church of Paschall• Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Church• Shiloh Baptist Church• The Church of St. Luke and the

Epiphany• St. Mary's Episcopal Church,

Hamilton Village• Calvary United Methodist Church• Summit Presbyterian Church

“Economic Halo Effect” of Sacred Places

Economic value of social services and culturalprograms sponsored or hosted by congregations• Value of clergy, staff, and volunteer time, space

provided, in-kind support, utilities, and cashsupport for community-serving programssupported by and/or housed by congregations

Environmental Factors• Community value of outdoor space, trees, gardens,

etc.

“Economic Halo Effect” of Sacred PlacesImpact of CongregationalSpending

• Congregational impact on localjobs, including janitorial,building maintenance,food/catering services; banking;funeral home/florist services;musicians; printing services, etc.

• Spending by congregationmembers who commute to theirsacred place from the widerregion, patronizing localbusinesses after worship,meetings or events.

• Support for local municipalitiesvia payroll or income taxes foremployees

• Impact of regular repair projectsand occasional large capitalprojects

“Economic Halo Effect” of Sacred Places

Congregations as catalysts foreconomic activity anddevelopment

• Incubation of small businessesand non-profits in affordablespace within the sacred place.

• Impact of stable, active sacredplaces on adjacent businessdistricts.

• Economic impact of CDCs andother non-profits formallyaffiliated with congregations.

• Impact of visitor traffic tocongregation-hosted artisticperformances, family reunions,and other ‘life events.’

Case Study:Visitation B.V.M.

• Total Halo effectcalculated at$21,823,359

• Nursery Schooland Daycareimpact: $4,817,250

• Individual Impact:$4,153,270

Partners for Sacred Places

To follow the pilot with a morecomprehensive research project sothat we can continue:

• building a constituency of civicleaders and donors who supportcommunity-serving sacred places

• building the capacity ofcongregations to manage theirproperties, fund their care, and usethem well in service to their mission

THE CHALLENGE NOW