NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) - An historic southern Indiana church that played a role in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War is a step closer to becoming a museum, but it needs the public's help.
New Albany's Second Street Baptist Church, famously known as the Town Clock Church, is celebrating after receiving exciting news last week that it is getting a matching grant of $200,000.
The church, along with 31 other historic Black Churches, has been selected to receive part of a substantial $4 million grant. This initiative comes from a government agency dedicated to preserving Black churches, administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.
The historic Town Clock Church in New Albany, Indiana, is making plans to turning part of the church into an Underground Railroad Museum. It is already on the National Parks Service Network to Freedom locations, which tells the story of the Underground Railroad. Jan. 23, 2024
What sets the Town Clock Church apart is that it stands as the only church among the 31 to be granted an endowment and sustainability grant.
Jerry Finn, treasurer of the church's 501c3 organization "Friends of the Town Clock Church," sheds light on the intricate care required for a building that has stood for more than 170 years.
"The stained glass windows, every piece of glass you see, was taken apart in a thousand pieces, and all new leading was put in place," explained Finn.
The Town Clock Church, initially built in 1852 as the Second Presbyterian Church, served as a station on the Underground Railroad.
According to oral historical claims, fugitives sought refuge in the church's basement, escaping through a tunnel leading to a nearby hotel. The church now aims to preserve this significant history by transforming part of its building into a museum.
Finn, who authored the grant last summer, expressed his surprise when the church was awarded the maximum amount they applied for – an impressive $200,000. This grant is unique, aiming to establish an endowment for ongoing maintenance funding, ensuring the historic building's preservation for generations to come.
"We wanted to start an endowment, so that the maintenance on the building would be funded in perpetuity. We wanted to make sure that forever, as long as this building is here, that the citizens of our area would know the history of the Underground Railroad and could come visit here," he said.
Along with an endowment, the money will go to creating a visitor center in a building next door, along with traveling exhibits and permanent exhibits
"We always make sure that the last thing we tell our students, even after we take them in to the under croft of the church, is that the Underground Railroad is not about tunnels. It's not about railroads. It's about the people who sat here and said 'we're going to do everything we can to help those who are trying to escape enslavement'," Finn explained.
A condition of the grant is that the money has to be matched, so the "Friends of the Town Clock Church" is hoping public or private donors will step up to help. For more information, go to the Town Clock Church website.
Related stories:
- Indiana church dedicates lighting linked to its history with the Underground Railroad
- Indiana church installs sculpture to honor former slave
- 101-year-old cupola relocated to New Albany's Underground Railroad Gardens
- New Albany officials break ground on garden to remember Underground Railroad
- Historic New Albany church receives award for Underground Railroad restoration project
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