"Have [the steeple] reviewed once every year, and if any part be deficient to have it rectified immediately – By such means there is a great probability it may stand safe for many years."
– Robert Smith, architect, to Francis Hopkinson, vestryman, May 20, 1771 Christ Church
Preservation – $3.75 Million
- Preservation of building envelope and interior
- Fire Safety
- Steeple restoration and preservation
- Organ Restoration and Maintenance
- Heating and Electric upgrade
Community Uses & Accessibility – $2.5 Million
- Community Groups
- Theatre Groups
- Fully Accessible
Neighborhood House Preservation & Functions – $2.5 Million
- Structural Preservation
- Office and Meeting Spaces
Interpretation, Tourism & Archives – $1 Million
- New Exhibition Spaces and Exhibitions
- Digitize and organize historic Archives and artifacts
Christ Church Burial Ground – $.5 Million
- Preservation of markers and grounds
- New path and family memorials to Benjamin Franklin
Christ Church Preservation
The existence of Christ Church is a tribute to ten generations of individuals who have loved, cared for and preserved it for centuries.
Today we have developed a new approach to preserving the church, an approach that will allow us—for the first time in 250 years—to be proactive about preservation, rather than always reacting to emergency needs. This is the 20-year Preservation Plan developed in 2004. This plan establishes priorities and creates a logical progression of capital projects, including regular inspections to ensure the integrity of the building. This campaign will address the most pressing needs over the next six years.
The first priority is fire safety. A fire in the church in December 2004 threatened the entire structure. Fortunately this was averted by the quick action of the National Park Service Rangers. The campaign will install sprinklers in the church and a new "water curtain" on the steeple. This installation will cost nearly $1.5 Million. An additional $2.25 Million will be invested in paint, roofs, masonry, floors and electrical updates to preserve the legacy in our care.
Community Uses & Accessibility
More than 150 community groups use the church and Neighborhood House each year, and the demand is growing. We are, in many respects, the "front porch" for Old City. Social service programs and community meetings take place daily. The third floor of Neighborhood House is one of the favored performance spaces for small and mid-sized performing arts groups. The campaign will provide upgraded and accessible spaces for all of these groups.
Neighborhood House Preservation & Functions
Built in 1911, Neighborhood House is nearing the 100-year mark, and structural renovations are greatly needed. The space will be expanded to accommodate offices for the Trust, for tourism and for functions.
Interpretation, Tourism & Archives
The campaign will create two new exhibition halls to tell the history of Christ Church and display the historic artifacts that have been packed away for too long. The Tower Room of the church, currently a gift shop, will become a space to tell the story of religious freedom and diversity in early America, with the gift shop moving to larger space in Neighborhood House. A short movie about church history will be developed for visitors.
The campaign will digitize and organize the important archives and artifacts preservation of the church and present this historical information on the web.
Christ Church Burial Ground
The Christ Church Burial Ground was closed to the public for 25 years following the Bicentennial of the Revolution. Proper maintenance and preservation will ensure that it remains open with programs for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.