Quel avenir pour quelles églises ? / What future for which churches?

27. The Boston Steeples Project

27 Depuis 1993, Historic Boston Incorporated (HBI) met en œuvre le Steeples Project pour aider les propriétaires de lieux de culte historiques de Boston à comprendre, à restaurer et à illuminer leurs bâtiments historiques. Outre la pratique religieuse, les communautés participantes doivent utiliser leurs bâtiments historiques pour la prestation de services communautaires et sociaux, faisant des participants au projet Steeples Project des atouts majeurs pour les quartiers environnants, qui ne doivent pas être mis en péril par suite de l’abandon des bâtiments. Cet article montre comment, par une démarche globale et pratique, HBI a versé à 41 églises des subventions s’élevant à 1,2 million de dollars pour financer des études approfondies des bâtiments, des réparations et des ajouts d’envergure et des installations d’éclairage extérieur, tout en aidant les communautés à recueillir des fonds supplémentaires pour leurs projets. On y fait également valoir que les avantages du projet débordent du cadre de la simple restauration des bâtiments et du maintien des services communautaires qu’on y dispense; ce projet inspire la fierté des quartiers et stimule l’investissement dans les propriétés avoisinantes, dynamisant ainsi l’économie locale. The Boston Steeples Project Wm. Eric Breitkreutz1© 2006 – Presses de l’Université du Québec Édifice Le Delta I, 2875, boul. Laurier, bureau 450, Québec, Québec G1V 2M2 • Tél. : (418) 657-4399 – www.puq.ca Tiré de : Quel avenir pour quelles églises?, Lucie K. Morisset, Luc Noppen et Thomas Coomans (dir.), ISBN 2-7605-1431-5 • D1431N Tous droits de reproduction, de traduction et d’adaptation réservés 492 Quel avenir pour quelles églises? / What future for which churches?© 2006 – Presses de l’Université du Québec Édifice Le Delta I, 2875, boul. Laurier, bureau 450, Québec, Québec G1V 2M2 • Tél. : (418) 657-4399 – www.puq.ca Tiré de : Quel avenir pour quelles églises?, Lucie K. Morisset, Luc Noppen et Thomas Coomans (dir.), ISBN 2-7605-1431-5 • D1431N Tous droits de reproduction, de traduction et d’adaptation réservés Historic Boston Incorporated’s Steeples Project2 goes far beyond what its name implies. While it does have as a goal, the preservation of architecturally significant historic structures, Historic Boston Incorporated (HBI) views these structures not just as building shells, but also as centres where congregations provide vital social and educational services to their communities. The Steeples Project offers funding and technical assistance to the owners of active, historic houses of worship of all faiths in Boston. It is a comprehensive, three-phased, competitive matching grant program that helps congregations better understand and care for their historic structures , thereby helping houses of worship stay open and in active use, and insuring the continued existence of the community services they offer to their neighbourhoods. Of course, the program also encourages congregations to celebrate the significant architectural features that make their buildings important landmarks within the city of Boston. Those buildings anchor their neighbourhoods visually as well as spiritually, since proper upkeep is critical to generating feelings of hope and “wellness” in the surrounding community. Since its founding as a nonprofit organization in 1960, Historic Boston Incorporated has engaged in thoughtful building renovation projects that meet community needs and help revitalize Boston’s neighbourhoods and business districts, while preserving cultural resources for present and future generations. By revolving investments into and out of renovation projects, HBI has been able to help regenerate a number of communities throughout the city, including Charlestown, Chinatown, the Dudley Square/Eliot Square/Highland Park area of Roxbury, Oak Square in Brighton, and Egleston Square in Roxbury. HBI’s foresight and innovative approaches to partnerships and financial leveraging have kept it on solid financial footing and have made it a leader among the nation’s historic preservation revolving funds. HBI has succeeded in its many revolving fund building efforts, thanks to the leadership of a small board of directors and a supporting staff of only four professionals. The organization has intentionally kept the 1. A graduate of the universities of Texas and Pennsylvania, the author is the Executive Director of Historic Boston Incorporated, former executive director of the Waterford Foundation. He was previously executive director of the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts, and managed the Indianapolis historic preservation revolving fund for Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. He also has held staff positions at several conservation societies and commissions. 2. More information about Historic Boston Incorporated and...