The former Seventh Day Baptist Church was instrumental in the founding of Alfred NY
From The New York Landmarks Conservancy
The New York Landmarks Conservancy has announced 15 Sacred Sites Grants totaling $244,500 awarded to 15 historic religious properties throughout New York State. This includes $20,000 to the Union University Church in Alfred to help fund roof replacement with steeple louver repair.
The former First Seventh Day Baptist Church has a complex of three buildings which are contributing components of the Alfred Village Historic District. The Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church initiated the formation of the Village of Alfred, Alfred University (across the street, the second oldest coeducational college in the US,) and Alfred State College. The church was instrumental in creating the Underground Railroad stations in Alfred and in Milton, Wisconsin. In 1929 the building was gutted by fire destroying windows, floors, pews, altar, and the pipe organ. In 1930 the sanctuary was restored, and the windows and the organ were replaced. Ownership of the Late Greek Revival/Early Gothic Revival 1853 frame church was transferred to the present congregation, the Union University Church, in 2021.
Activities at the church’s campus reach about 75 people a year outside of membership, including the Alfred Office of the Aging senior nutrition luncheon (three days a week), weekly AA meetings, a Japanese martial-arts class, and Boy Scout troop meetings.
“Religious buildings are important because they tell us about history, architectural development, beauty and hold so many communal memories,” said Peg Breen, President, The New York Landmarks Conservancy. “But congregations, including these recent grant recipients, also serve an important role today by providing their communities with a variety of social service and cultural programs.”
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 over 1,700 grants totaling over $14.4 million to more than 870 religious institutions statewide, helping fund over $818 million in repair and restoration projects.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy
The New York Landmarks Conservancy, a private non-profit organization, has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for more than 50 years. Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $62 million, which has leveraged almost $1 billion in nearly 2,000 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus, and supporting local jobs. The Conservancy has also offered countless hours of pro bono technical advice to building owners, both nonprofit organizations, and individuals. The Conservancy’s work has saved more than a thousand buildings across the City and State, protecting New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations. For more information, please visit www.nylandmarks.org.
