News

On Saturday May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd, 2016 six local Syracuse congregations will be participating in the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s statewide Annual Sacred Sites Open House Weekend: AME Zion Church (formerly People’s AME Zion), Church of the Saviour, First English Lutheran, Grace Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Temple Concord. This years Open House Weekend celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Sacred Sites Program.

The annual Open House Weekend has three main objectives:

– To encourage sacred sites to open their doors to the general public. Inviting visitors is a great way to build broad community support for the ongoing preservation of historic institutions.

– To inspire residents to be tourists in their own town, introducing non-members to the history, art and architecture embodied in sacred places. New Yorkers tour religious sites around the world but many overlook those in their own back yard. Developing cultural tourism is key to the future of sacred sites,

– To publicize the many programs and services religious institutions offer their neighbors. The important work these sites provide benefits’ the entire community – not just the congregation’s members and help insure the congregation’s future.

This event is an opportunity for the community at large to learn about the historic and cultural significance of these landmark buildings and experience the beauty of some of Syracuse’s hidden architectural treasures.

Grace Church will be open for people to visit on Saturday, May 21st from 10am – 3:00pm, and Sunday, May 22nd from 11am to 2pm.

We will need volunteers to greet people and provide basic handouts. Please contact John Auwaerter if you are able to volunteer.