Federal Funding For Historic Preservation Of Churches

"The National Historic Preservation Act provides funds to help repair landmarks. In exchange for the money, the building owner promises to give the public substantial access, and to keep repairing the building for 50 years to maintain its historical integrity. The act essentially lets the government buy a preservation easement in the buildings, to maintain our cities as living museums of history and architecture. To its credit, Congress provided the funding for a wide range of historic buildings, whether or not the buildings have religious uses. But for decades, the executive branch excluded churches, synagogues and other religious sites."