The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded St. Alphonsus “Rock” Catholic Church a $500,000 grant from Preserving Black Churches.

The grant process was highly competitive: more than 622 funding proposals were reviewed, and $8.5 million has been allocated to invest in restoration projects at 30 historic churches nationwide.

Built in May 1867, the “Rock” Church was designated a St. Louis City Landmark in 1976. It has survived more than a century of aging, multiple weather events and a 5-alarm fire in 2007 caused by a lightning strike that burned the roof and ceiling.

The original 54 stained glass windows were designed and produced by the renowned Meyer & Company of Munich, Germany. They were installed during the years leading up to the 1904 World’s Exposition, and are irreplaceable works of art worth an estimated $15 million. The cost of completely restoring the interior and exterior of all sanctuary windows is estimated at $1.5 million, and the project will take 16-18 months to complete.

The grant award will only cover a portion of the stained glass window restoration project. Donations to the “Rock” Church $1.5 million Capital Campaign may be made by check − Memo: Window Restoration − and mailed to: St. Alphonsus “Rock” Catholic Church 1118 North Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63106

(Adapted from a news release by Shannon Horstmann, Grant Writer.)