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The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church Legacy Foundation received a $744, 545 grant from the National Park Service’s (NPS) African American Civil Rights Grant Program.

The grant, announced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, will be used to replace mechanical systems at the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church.

“Heating and cooling a historic 102-year-old building has many challenges. We are so happy as we look forward to having consistent heating and cooling everywhere in all seasons,” said Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson, board chair of the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church Legacy Foundation, Inc. “This is a blessing as we continue to tell and preserve the story of our historic church for all generations.”

Sewell said it is important for historic churches like Tabernacle Baptist to continue their legacy for generations. 

“Each year, I am very proud to lead the effort in Congress to increase funding for the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund to ensure that Alabama’s rich Civil Rights history lives on for generations to come,” Sewell said. “Protecting and advancing our Civil Rights legacy will always be a top priority of mine. After all, those who don’t learn from our history are doomed to repeat it.”