New York Landmarks Conservancy awards grants to 2 Ontario County churches for restoration work

First Congregational Church of East Bloomfield and Port Gibson United Methodist Church are getting help for restoration projects.

The two local churches are among the 18 historic religious properties throughout the state to receive Sacred Sites Grants from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

The East Bloomfield church will get $15,000 to help fund roof replacement. The Port Gibson church was awarded $7,500 to help fund architectural work for envelope repairs and restoration.

The Sacred Sites Program provides congregations with matching grants for planning and implementing exterior restoration projects, along with technical assistance, and workshops. Since 1986, the program has pledged 1,588 grants totaling over $15.2 million to 836 religious institutions statewide.

The First Congregational Church of East Bloomfield was completed in 1837 and is situated on a large corner lot atop a raised, cobblestone foundation. The congregation reaches about 90 people outside of its membership through such activities as book club meetings, a Boy Scout troop, Order of the Eastern Star meetings and meetings of the Women’s Fortnightly Community Group.

The Port Gibson United Methodist Church is a red-brick Romanesque revival structure located in the village of Port Gibson, which is part of the town of Manchester. Designed by Auburn architect Mr. Hamilton, and constructed in 1871 by local carpenter Ruel Taylor during the region’s Erie Canal heyday, the present church is the congregation’s second home on this site, dating back to 1834.

The congregation reaches about 875 people outside of its membership through activities such as twice-yearly community dinners, cemetery board meetings, pill-container collections and household good collections.

For more information, please visit nylandmarks.org.