Grace Episcopal Church (Syracuse, New York) facts for kids

Grace Episcopal Church is a special old church in Syracuse, New York. It's an Episcopal church, which is a type of Christian church. The building was designed by an architect named Horatio Nelson White. It was built a long time ago, in 1876. You can find it at 819 Madison Avenue, not far from Syracuse University. Because it's such an important and beautiful building, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 20, 1973. This means it's recognized as a place with historical value.

History of Grace Church

The Grace Church community started in 1871. The church building you see today was finished in 1876.

Helping Others and Fighting for Fairness

Grace Church has a long history of working for social justice. This means they have always tried to help people and make things fair for everyone.

In the late 1900s, the church welcomed David Pendleton Oakerhater. He was a Cheyenne warrior and had been held as a political prisoner. Grace Church baptized him and made him a priest. Oakerhater spent his life helping his people and serving the Episcopal Church. In 1992, he was recognized as a saint within the Episcopal Church. Grace Church is now a special place, or "national shrine," for Saint Oakerhater. He is the first Native American Episcopal saint. In 2004, special windows were put in the church to honor him. In 2005, a celebration was held at Grace Church with Saint Oakerhater's family.

Grace Episcopal Church building in Syracuse, New York.

In 1957, Grace Church joined with St. Philip's Church. St. Philip's was a church mainly for Black people. By joining together, Grace became one of the first churches in the country where people of all races worshipped together. This was a big step towards equality.

Working for Civil Rights

In the 1960s, Grace Church was a leader among churches in Syracuse. They worked hard for civil rights. This meant fighting for equal rights and treatment for all people, especially Black Americans.

Grace Church helped by:

• Hosting one of the first Head Start programs. This program helps young children from low-income families get ready for school.
• Offering training for Peace Corps and VISTA volunteers. These volunteers help communities in need, both in the U.S. and around the world.
• Holding meetings for the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE). CORE was an important group that worked for equal rights.

Women in Leadership

In 1974, Betty Bone Scheiss, who was part of Grace Church, became a priest. This happened three years before the main Episcopal Church group officially allowed women to be priests. She then became an associate rector, which is a leader in the church.

Welcoming Everyone

In 2008, Grace Church was one of the first churches in its area to take part in Central New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride events. This showed their commitment to welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Grace Today

Grace Episcopal Church continues to be a very active church that works for social justice. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. The people who attend Grace Church come from many different backgrounds. It is known as one of the most racially diverse churches in the country. Grace Church continues to be a welcoming place for people of all races, backgrounds, beliefs, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

See also

• List of Registered Historic Places in Onondaga County, New York
• Grace Episcopal Church (disambiguation)