Historic Provo church secures $20K matching grant to restore building facades
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- The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ is photographed from University Avenue in downtown Provo on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
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- An undated photo shows exterior stucco spalling at the Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ.
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- This undated photo shows exterior stucco spalling at Meno Trope Hall in Provo.
The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ has secured a $20,000 matching grant from Provo City and the state of Utah to help fund critically needed building repairs.
The church announced in a Thursday’s press release that the matching grant has been awarded through Provo City’s Certified Local Government program in conjunction with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office.
“The grant will support stucco repair and restoration on both of the church’s historic buildings–part of the ongoing Cornerstone Restoration Project aimed at preserving the beloved downtown landmark,” the release reads.
The Provo Community Congregational United Church of Christ and the adjacent Meno Trope Hall hold a lot of history in Utah County.
In June 2024, the Daily Herald reported on the interior and exterior repair efforts of the 100-year-old Meno Trope Hall.
While some repairs have been made, the biggest need currently is rehabbing the outside of the hall and its adjacent sanctuary.
Dave Lewis, the project lead for the Cornerstone Restoration effort, said the matching grant will play a vital role in preserving an important piece of Provo’s architectural and civic history.
“The stucco exterior on both buildings has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with visible cracking and spalling threatening the long-term integrity of the structures,” Lewis said as part of a statement in the release. “This funding opportunity will enable critical preservation work to protect and restore the buildings’ historic facades–ensuring the church can continue serving as a spiritual and community gathering place in the heart of downtown Provo.”
However, to acquire the full amount of the funds, the church organization must meet the matching requirement by raising an equal amount of money from other sources or donors.
They’ve launched a local fundraising effort called “Save Our Stucco” (SOS) with the goal of raising the local match of $20,000 to fully unlock the awarded funds.
Community members interested in learning more or donating can visit keepingthefaithprovo.org.
