On Wednesday, September 27, Grace Presbyterian Church, located at 444 York Road in Jenkintown, was visited by State Senator Art Haywood, who carried with him a check for $1,547,646.

The ceremonial check represents the grant the Jenkintown church has been awarded under the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The funding, which is being matched by donations from the congregation, will be used for major renovations that will improve the building’s safety and security as well as access for the disabled and will refurbish the spaces often used by more than a dozen community groups in the Jenkintown area.

“My vision is to see more communities across the district embrace this same spirit of compassion and
empowerment,” Senator Haywood said. “This summer, we rolled out our ‘Saturate with Love Strategy’ to reduce violence in two high crime blocks in the Germantown and Wister neighborhoods. The strategy brings direct violence intervention and resources to the community to meet the unmet needs of the community & break the cycle of violence. When we come together to give back and lend a helping hand to our neighbors, we can transform communities for the better.”

“The grant will bring people to this community who need services,” Senator Haywood said. “It will allow the church to see what it can do outside the church’s walls. I believe love is a strategy for change, which is why I’m so glad to be in this church, with this commitment to this community.”

Community groups that routinely use the church building for events include Compassionate Friends, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Breathing Room Foundation, the Red Cross, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Rotary Club, and the Old York Road Garden Club.

After the renovation, the church intends to expand services offered to the community.

“We’re here to celebrate a historic moment, not only for the church, but also for Jenkintown and the state,” Rev. Brian Russo, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, said. “We’re beyond thankful for Sen. Haywood and the faith he has put into our renovation. With this matching grant from the state, we will be able to widen our doors to groups and services that will benefit our community. We are excited not only to be an inclusive congregation of faith, but also a partner to a better future for us all.”

More than three dozen people attended the ceremony, including John Fennell, District Office Director for state Rep. Napoleon Nelson; Pam Finnegan, deputy director of the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority; Jay Conners and Deborra Sines Pancoe of Jenkintown borough council; Mark Schwartz, former executive director of Regional Housing Legal Services, Chris Chapman, president of Delran Builders, and Joyce Lenhardt, principal architect, Lenhardt Rogers.

Attending from the church were two dozen members who have volunteered to work on every aspect of the project. They included several members of the construction, capital campaign, prayer, and grant committees along with members of the Session governing council and church staff.

After making the check presentation, Sen. Haywood toured the spaces that will be renovated for the community’s use.

For our previous coverage on the church’s renovation plans and its ties to John Wanamker, you can click here.

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Photos: Senator Haywood’s office