First Congregational Church of Marion is among other Historically Black Churches (HBCs) to receive a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (Action Fund).
Action Fund is awarding $8.5 million in grants to 30 HBCs as part of its third annual Preserving Black Churches (PBC) grant program.
“We are honored to support the ongoing legacies of these churches, which have stood at the forefront of social progress for generations,” said Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Fund.
“This $8.5 million investment marks a critical step in safeguarding historically Black Churches as enduring symbols of faith, strength, and community leadership. By preserving them, we ensure that their powerful presence continues to live on in their communities and inspire future generations.”
A press release from Action Fund noted that First Congregational Church of Marion was founded in 1869 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
It was founded by former slaves and the American Missionary Association before being headed by Civil Rights Movement leader Rev. Andrew Young many years later. Young was the first black U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
According to AL.com, the church was associated with the Lincoln Normal School, of which Martin Luther King Jr.'s wife, Coretta, was an alumnus.
The church is said to be the oldest unaltered building of its kind in Marion. Funding will be used for "critical" repairs that includes stabilizing the church’s steeple, as well as accessibility and systems upgrades.
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