The Rochester Area Community Foundation recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for historic preservation.
The Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grant making. The historic church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and was inducted into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame in 2019.
“I am grateful for the support of the Rochester Area Community Foundation as St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy seek to preserve these architectural and historic treasures and to adapt them to meet the needs of the community today,” said Rev. James Adams, rector of St. Peter’s.
Anchoring the south end of Geneva’s Genesee Park Historic District, the massive church is a Medina sandstone, Gothic Revival style church designed by the prominent architect Richard Upjohn. The elegant stone church was constructed during 1868-1870 with funds raised by local contributions.
Twenty years later in 1878, Upjohn’s son, Richard M. Upjohn, designed a massive, four-story, square bell tower at the northwest corner of the church.
In 1986, the parish began a restoration of the buildings to restore the original Gothic splendor of the church. Today the interior of the church survives virtually intact with carved trusses supporting the paneled ceiling; original pews arranged around a center aisle; and delicate stenciling.
In 2005 the Church established the St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy. The Arts Academy continues to grow and its success has created the need for more space for instruction. A $4-million capital campaign is under way to raise money to convert the two-story former
Rectory on the south side of the church grounds into the main space for the Arts Academy. More information on classes and supporting the Arts Academy is available at www.stpetersarts.org.
The annual Friends of the Arts appeal is currently under way. Donations will ensure that music and dance lessons are made available to students of all ages and abilities. Donors may mail a check to the Arts Academy at 149 Genesee St., Geneva, or donate online by clicking here.
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