GREETINGS, HOPEWELL COMMUNITY!
PLEASE JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2, 10 AM FOR A CHECK PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST MEETINGHOUSE!
A community celebration is planned for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 10am when State officials present a $150,000 grant award to the Hopewell Old School Baptist Meetinghouse. The Meetinghouse is a 501(c)(3) foundation, dedicated to the preservation of the highly significant historical building and grounds for educational and future community uses. This major grant award is funded from the FY23 State Fiscal Recovery Fund under the American Rescue Plan. Members of the Hopewell State delegation, including Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson will be on hand for the presentation, along with Mayor Paul Anzano and members of the Hopewell Borough Council. Numerous other local dignitaries are expected to attend.
The Old School Baptist Meetinghouse is managed by a re-energized Board with a vision and a mission to return the facility to the community for a variety of uses. Many residents have never seen the interior as it has rarely been open in recent due to a lack of volunteers and a need to renovate the space to accommodate visitors. As examples, the building does not currently have restroom facilities or air conditioning, and it cannot easily welcome those requiring access under the American with Disabilities Act. In order to further these improvements, the Trustees have established a grants committee that will pursue capital revenue sources. They are currently working on the nomination process for historic designation on the Federal and State Registers, and a preservation plan that is consistent with Department of Interior Standards will be developed to complement those funding applications. The assistance provided by the State in the FY23 State Fiscal Recovery Fund will enable maintenance of the facility to continue while the larger projects are being developed, and it will fund necessary expenses to pursue those opportunities.
Please join us for the check presentation on August 2 (10 am) and please stay tuned for future exciting announcements in the months to come!
