First Christian Church in Columbus will be kicking off its fundraising efforts to save the church’s clock tower with an event this afternoon.
Repair costs are estimated at $2.4 million. The project has recently announced two grants that require matching funds:
- The Jeffris Family Foundation based in Janesville, Wisconsin announced this week the award of an up to $500,000 grant which would provide a $1 match for every $2 pledged for the project.
- Earlier this month, organizers announced a Save America’s Treasures grant from the U.S. Department of Interior. The $500,000 grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match.
Fundraising efforts will launch with a Save Our Tower Campaign event at 4 this afternoon at the church at 531 Fifth Street. It will include a presentation on the church history and a guided architecture tour of the church by J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program Director T. Kelly Wilson.
Photo: First Christian Church photo courtesy of Landmark Columbus Foundation.