Sacred Spaces Reimagined: 2026 Faith & Form Award Winners Announced

The 2026 Faith & Form International Awards recognize 12 projects worldwide for excellence in religious architecture, restoration, and sacred design. From the honored restoration of the Mesa Arizona Temple to innovative new and renewed worship spaces across the globe, these projects highlight how sacred environments continue to support faith, community, and formation.

Submissions for the 2027 awards open August 3–October 9, 2026. These award-winning spaces offer inspiration for congregations seeking to steward their buildings as living places of worship, rooted in tradition and shaped for the future.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 3, 2026Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Up to $500,000 Available for Sacred Place Preservation: Applications Now Open

The National Fund for Sacred Places is now accepting applications, offering $50,000–$500,000 in grants plus expert support for congregations undertaking major historic preservation projects. An informational webinar will be held Thursday, January 22 at 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM AZ) to help congregations determine eligibility and learn more.

This program, led by Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supports churches seeking to preserve their buildings while strengthening long-term ministry and community impact. Learn more and apply at fundforsacredplaces.org.

Sacred Places as “Third Place”: 2025 National Photo Contest Winners Announced

Partners for Sacred Places has announced the winners of its 2025 national photo contest, themed “Third Place: Sacred Places Serving Their Neighborhoods.” Through anonymous jury selection and public voting, photographers from across the country captured how sacred spaces function not only as houses of worship, but as vital centers for art, service, education, open space, and community life.

The winning images—ranging from a historic Baptist church cemetery in Georgia to community events, music, dance, and service ministries—offer a powerful visual testimony to how sacred places continue to serve the common good. Read more and view the winning photographs from across the nation on the Partners for Sacred Places website.

Brian FlatgardDecember 19, 2025Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Help Spotlight Sacred Spaces: Public Voting Open Through Dec. 5

Public voting is open for the 2025 Partners for Sacred Places Photo Contest through December 5. Help select the People’s Choice winners in four categories—Arts, Education & Service, Open Space, and Community Events. This year’s theme highlights sacred places as community “third spaces,” serving neighborhoods with beauty, care, and hospitality. Vote here: https://sacredplaces.org/photo-voting/

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardNovember 19, 2025Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Partners for Sacred Places Invites Photo Submissions by Oct. 15

Partners for Sacred Places is hosting a photo contest to highlight how congregations and sacred places enrich their neighborhoods through arts, service, education, and community events. Submit up to ten photos showcasing the vitality of sacred places in your community. Entries close October 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and enter the contest here.

Brian FlatgardOctober 3, 2025Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Capture the Spirit: National Photo Contest Celebrates Sacred Spaces

Photographers are invited to enter the national “Third Place: Sacred Places Serving Their Neighborhoods” photo contest, highlighting historic houses of worship as vibrant community hubs. Open to amateurs and professionals, the contest runs August 15–October 15 with categories in The Arts, Education and Service, Open Space, and Community Events. Prizes up to $500 are available. Enter here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAugust 15, 2025Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Call for Entries: Share Your Religious Art or Architecture Project

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Faith & Form International Awards for Religious Architecture & Art.Architects, artists, designers, students, and faith communities are invited to submit completed projects by October 10, 2025. Recognizing excellence in sacred space, liturgical design, and community engagement, the awards offer global recognition and are a powerful witness to the intersection of faith and creativity. Learn more and apply today.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAugust 1, 2025Grants, Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Honoring Sacred Beauty: 2024 Faith & Form Award Winners Announced

The 2024 Faith & Form Awards recognized 20 exceptional projects in sacred architecture, art, and design from five countries and multiple faith traditions. Among the honorees is the TSG Foundation Center for Spiritual Development in Scottsdale, AZ. Explore the full list of award-winning projects and learn how to submit for the 2025 awards.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardMarch 25, 2025Partners for Sacred Spaces, GrantsComment

Winter Issue of Sacred Places Magazine is available now

Sacred Places Magazine provides stories about Partners’ work with congregations across the country; practical information on repair, maintenance, and fundraising; profiles of Professional Alliance members; and more. View the latest edition here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardDecember 31, 2024Partners for Sacred Spaces, National Fund for Sacred PlacesComment

Celebrate Sacred Art and Architecture: Submit Your Work to the 2024 Faith & Form Awards

The 2024 Faith & Form International Awards Program for Religious Architecture & Art is now accepting submissions until October 11, 2024. This prestigious event, co-sponsored by Faith & Form and Interfaith Design, celebrates innovative and spiritually meaningful design in religious architecture and art.

Architects, artists, and designers from our Grand Canyon Synod are encouraged to showcase their projects that enhance religious and community life. Winners will be recognized internationally, including features in Sacred Places magazine and a special acknowledgment at the AIA Conference in 2025.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 7, 2024Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Introduction to the National Fund for Sacred Places webinar

Attend an information session webinar on Thursday, February 1st at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community or judicatory) may qualify.

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. To learn more, please visit us at fundforsacredplaces.org.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsGrand Canyon SynodJanuary 23, 2024National Fund for Sacred Places, Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

“Sacred Places at the Heart of Communities” Photo Contest deadline is 11/19/2023

Seize the chance to celebrate and showcase the vibrancy and essence of community-serving sacred places across America! Partners for Sacred Places announces its “Sacred Places at the Heart of Communities” Photo Contest, open from October 1 to November 19, 2023, with exciting cash prizes up to $1000. Capture the profound spirituality, community events, open spaces, and services these places offer and share your vision with the world! For submission and more detailed information, please visit Sacred Photo Contest or email photocontest@sacredplaces.org.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 8, 2023Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Transitioning Older and Historic Sacred Places

It’s becoming increasingly apparent to civic leaders across America that many churches are shrinking and that their buildings are suffering from deferred maintenance. A new resource has been published that presents community-minded options and alternatives that can help you retain the civic value of sacred places even if they change use or ownership.

Transitioning Older and Historic Sacred Places is available in digital and print versions at sacredplaces.org/transitionguide.

News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSeptember 14, 2021Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

Faith & Form / Interfaith Design International Awards Program for Religious Architecture and Art

The latest issue of Sacred Places: The Magazine of Partners for Sacred Places is now available, including the winners of the 2020 Faith & Form / Interfaith Design International Awards Program for Religious Architecture and Art.

Visit the NEW awards website, faithandformawards.com to nominate projects for 2021. Entries are welcomed and encouraged from architects, landscape architects, designers, artists, students, consultants, nonprofits, and religious organizations. Submissions will be accepted through September 30, 2021.

NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 7, 2021Partners for Sacred SpacesComment

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