Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The St. Patrick Catholic Church downtown is one step closer to beginning costly renovations. The St. Patrick Catholic Church is one of 30 congregations with historical buildings nationwide to get grant funds from the nonprofit organization The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The nonprofit’s collaboration with the National Fund for Sacred Places program and Partners for Sacred Places awarded these funds to support the preservation of historical sites and religious spaces. An estimated $500,000 grant will help cover the cost of repairs for the church’s steeple and aging bricks. Church Reverend, Father Johnbosco Ikemeh says his feelings towards the award dollars are, “it means the world,”. Ikemeh says the dollars are kick-starting the funds towards the church’s capital campaign for renovations. “A church that has been standing for almost 200 years, to God be the glory, is in need of great repair,” Ikemeh says. “We are running a capital campaign to restore and renew and empower our people again, hoping by God’s grace that this church will be standing for another 200 years.” He says another goal in the campaign is to create a Black Catholic Cultural Heritage Center. The center will be designed to connect the area’s youth to African American music, dance and culture. Ikemeh says the campaign has a three-year timeline for renovations to be completed. The campaign accepts donations for the campaign on their website, social media and in the sanctuary.
