Augusta Canal Area Secures Grant for Historic Church

A new $750,000 federal grant will support the ongoing restoration of the 132-year-old Mother Trinity CME Church.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic brick church facade, evoking the architectural heritage of the Augusta Canal area. — The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area has been awarded $750,000 to assist in the ongoing structural preservation of the Mother Trinity CME Church. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area has secured $750,000 in federal funding to help preserve the historic Mother Trinity CME Church. This grant brings the total funding for the site's restoration efforts to $2.25 million.

Why it matters

The grant aims to halt the building's ongoing deterioration and secure its future as a central cultural tourism site for the Augusta community. This injection of capital allows for essential stabilization of the building envelope.

The project is funded by $750,000 from the African American Civil Rights Grant program, bringing total restoration grants to $2.25 million. The 132-year-old sanctuary previously required a 250-foot move in 2018 to preserve its foundation.

The players

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area

This entity oversees the preservation of the canal corridor and acts as the lead coordinator for the church restoration project.

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for managing national parks and administering various cultural heritage grant programs across the United States.

Mother Trinity CME Church

This 132-year-old religious structure serves as a historic landmark and focal point for cultural preservation efforts in Augusta.

The details

The project is a collaborative effort involving the Augusta Canal Authority, GreenRock Partners, Historic Augusta, Inc., and SHAH Architecture. Work will focus on stabilizing the exterior shell of the structure and advancing long-term architectural planning.

In 2018, the structure was moved 250 feet to protect its foundation.
The $750,000 federal grant was officially announced on October 16, 2026.

The Breakdown

The funding follows the model set by the African American Civil Rights Grant program, which provides capital for the preservation of significant cultural sites. This award continues the broader trend of utilizing federal resources to protect historic structures of national importance.

Residents and visitors can expect future accessibility to the site as it transitions into a cultural anchor for the canal corridor. Ongoing construction phases may impact parking or local pedestrian traffic near the project area.

The takeaway

This restoration project highlights the importance of federal partnerships in preserving local architectural history for future generations. Residents interested in regional history can monitor updates from the Augusta Canal Authority regarding the site's eventual opening.