America’s houses of worship ‘endangered’

WASHINGTON — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named urban houses of worship to its list of the nation’s most endangered historic places.

“America’s older religious properties are national treasures,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust, in an announcement May 29 of the 2003 list of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.”

“They embody the faith, aesthetic aspirations and cultural diversity of generations of Americans,” Moe said.

The trust noted that the churches, synagogues, mosques and meetinghouses in urban settings have suffered due to limited capital budgets, increasing real estate values and changing demographics.

The trust is urging that houses of worship receive equal access to state and federal preservation funds as well as greater recognition by the philanthropic community to help repair religious structures and maintain the social services they provide.