Indiana Landmarks Awards Grants to Wabash Valley Churches
Sacred Places Indiana provides funding to help preserve historic houses of worship across the state.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Christianity
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Indiana Landmarks has awarded over $300,000 in grants to two Wabash Valley churches to support essential capital repairs and planning. This funding is part of a larger initiative by Sacred Places Indiana that distributed $2.5 million to 16 churches statewide.
Why it matters
The program provides critical financial support for the preservation of historic religious buildings, helping congregations maintain their architectural legacy. Selected churches must demonstrate organizational health and a commitment to long-term stewardship.
The First Presbyterian Church in Brazil received $100,000, while St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Vincennes was awarded a $226,160 capital grant. These figures follow a previous $100,000 grant awarded to the Vincennes cathedral.
The players
Indiana Landmarks
This is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic architecture throughout the state of Indiana.
Sacred Places Indiana
This is a specialized initiative operated by Indiana Landmarks that provides technical assistance and funding to help historic congregations maintain their facilities.
The details
Recipients are selected through a competitive process requiring letters of interest and proof of historic stewardship. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, constructed in 1826, worked with masonry consultants to refine its project scope, while the 1924 First Presbyterian Church in Brazil plans to utilize funds for capital needs.
Timeline
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral was constructed in 1826.
First Presbyterian Church in Brazil was constructed in 1924.
The announcement of the fourth round of grants occurred in October 2026.
Recipients must complete projects within two years.
Applications for the next grant round open in January 2027.
Culture Shift
The program reflects a broader trend of institutionalizing historic preservation for religious sites that might otherwise face structural decay. Sacred Places Indiana acts as a central hub for this specialized stewardship, prioritizing projects that demonstrate both organizational health and architectural significance.
Congregations interested in securing similar funding must prepare to demonstrate strong organizational health and a clear plan for historic stewardship. Applicants should note that all capital campaigns and construction projects supported by these grants must be completed within a two-year window.
The takeaway
These grants emphasize the importance of pairing physical preservation with long-term organizational health to ensure historic structures remain viable. Congregations seeking support should begin assessing their capital needs well in advance of the competitive selection process.
What happens next
Applications for the next round of Sacred Places Indiana grants will officially open to congregations in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's religious history and community programs on the Indiana Christianity page.
More information
View full program details and application guidelines on the Sacred Places Indiana grant information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTWO NewsChannel 2 Terre Haute.
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