“Organizations like First Baptist Asheville have a true commitment to service, offer tremendous civic value to their community, and these congregations are well poised to grow and thrive in the future,” said Bob Jaeger, President of Partners for Sacred Places. “We look forward to working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and First Baptist Asheville to restore their building, help preserve an important piece history, and support the expansion of their community offerings.”
Across 2021, First Baptist Church of Asheville is pleased to participate in a cohort of congregations who received a matching grant award to care for historic, sacred spaces across the country. Matching contributions and grant dollars, from The National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will support structural repairs to preserve our iconic dome. The 2021/2022 grant funded project will specifically address the repointing of the terra-cotta ornamental bands and tile caps traveling the circumference of the 1927 building.
Our 1976 National Register nomination notes that First Baptist Church of Asheville is “one of the city’s most prominent landmarks not only by its considerable size and importance to the religious life of the community, but also by its curious and extraordinary architectural quality.” Situated at a literal and figurative crossroads in downtown, the church is home to a congregation that has historically worked within and beyond the church walls in ways consistent with the caring, compassionate and reconciling way of Jesus Christ.
While committed to the care of our historic structure, we are also committed to our neighborhood and the ministry which happens under and around our dome. FBCA is a hub for community engagement, and our outreach in the coming years centers directly on a thriving city and neighbors who work, play and live within walking distance. Our future engages partners and neighbors within view of our sanctuary doors.
