Our Sacred Sites staff sure get around! This summer, Colleen Heemeyer and Gwendolyn Stegall hit the road in the heat, fought rush hour on the Long Island Expressway, and even survived a flat tire. All together, they drove more than 1,400 miles to meet with 16 congregations across New York State who are asking for help with projects totaling $1.1 million.
Some highlights from their adventures:
Sayville Surprise: We climbed up the twisting tower stairs of the Sayville United Church of Christ, built in 1888, to see their 1890 church bell. A member rang it while we were up there—and yes, we had to cover our ears! Hopefully, no one thought a fire drill was happening in the middle of the day.
History Lesson in Setauket: At Caroline Church of Brookhaven (built in 1752!), we got a peek at America’s second-oldest Episcopal church still in use. In the 1930s, someone “restored” it by peeling away Victorian decorations, showing off its original wooden ceiling and beams. Today’s preservation experts might do things differently, but the building tells a great story about how ideas on “saving” old buildings have changed.
Way Out West: Our farthest trip was to Alfred, where Union University Church (1857) sits in the heart of a college town. We’ve supported this Gothic revival church before, and this time they’re asking for help with a new roof.
Hot in the City: In Manhattan, Conservancy Board Member Keith Marston braved 90-degree heat with us on the roof of Trinity Lutheran Church. We inspected cracked caulking and stonework before gratefully moving inside to air conditioning.
Door Detectives: At St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Ridge, photos made it hard to tell if their big entry doors were original. But when we looked up close—examining the patina, details, and craftsmanship—we confirmed they were the real deal: historic metal-clad “Kalamein” doors.
Stained Glass Friends: In Ithaca, we revisited the First Baptist Church of DeWitt Park, which has been restoring its stained glass windows step by step. Previous grants helped in 2017 and 2022, and now they’re applying for the final phase of the project.
Since the Sacred Sites program began in 1986, we’ve visited nearly every corner of New York—61 out of 62 counties! Each trip lets us see building issues up close and connect with the dedicated people keeping these historic places alive.
