Historic Black Church Receives $360,000 Grant for Preservation

Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, a historically Black church founded in 1863 by formerly enslaved African Americans, has received a $360,000 grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund's Preserving Black Churches program. This grant aims to enhance its worship space and preserve its structural integrity, particularly addressing foundational issues like rotting joists. The church's location near the Freedom House Museum, a site where thousands of enslaved people were sold, further emphasizes its historical importance. These preservation efforts highlight the Black church's significant role in strengthening social justice movements, fostering communal advocacy, and developing democratic leadership. The grant will help ensure that this important piece of African American history continues to serve the community for generations to come.