Prairie
Churches of North Dakota, Grassroots Grant Awards
Much of the rich cultural and architectural heritage of North Dakota
is captured in the strength and beauty of its historic church buildings.
Unfortunately, demographic, economic and technological trends, have
left many of these important buildings in jeopardy.
Prairie Churches of North Dakota is an innovative national pilot program
designed to help rural communities revitalize their historic churches
as centers of community life and culture. North Dakota has more
than 2,300 churches, 78% of these churches are located in rural areas,
56% of these are considered historic (by National Register Standards),
and over 20% of the total number are closed. The closure rate
has remained constant at 5-10 churches each year. North Dakota
has the most churches per capita of any state in the nation. The
program is a partnership of historic preservation, religious, arts
and humanities organizations committed to drawing state and national
attention to the plight of North Dakota's rural churches, and to aid
congregations in preserving, maintaining, and continuing to use their
historic buildings.
Many churches are struggling with handicapped accessibility, groundwater
or steeple repair problems. Preservation North Dakota is studying these
types of issues and working to find practical solutions and resources
for rural churches. If a church is threatened with closure, the program
attempts to facilitate an adaptive reuse that allows the building to
continue to serve the community in a positive way.
2007 Grants
2006 Grants
2005 Grants
2004 Grants
2003 Grants
2002 Grants
2001 Grants
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