The Newington Heritage Society has been awarded an $8,000 historic preservation grant from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation to support ongoing preservation efforts at the historic Walker Grove Baptist Church in Newington.
The grant is one of 14 matching awards distributed through the Georgia Trust’s 2026 1772 Foundation Grants for Georgia program, which provided a total of $125,000 to nonprofit organizations across the state for the maintenance and preservation of historic properties. Overall, the Georgia Trust awarded $165,000 through three preservation grant programs benefiting 18 historic sites throughout Georgia.
Walker Grove Baptist Church, a longstanding landmark in Screven County, was selected alongside historic schools, theaters, museums, and community buildings receiving funding for preservation projects ranging from structural stabilization to restoration of historic features.
You can follow the progress on Walker Grove Baptist Church on their Facebook page.
According to the Georgia Trust, grant funding will help support critical preservation work at historic sites across Georgia, including foundation stabilization, drainage improvements, roof repairs, restoration of historic doors and windows, masonry work, exterior rehabilitation, and other maintenance projects designed to extend the life of significant historic structures.
The 1772 Foundation has partnered with the Georgia Trust since 2023 to provide matching grants to nonprofit organizations working to preserve Georgia’s historic resources. The program focuses on projects that address deferred maintenance and help ensure historically significant buildings remain viable for future generations.
“From house museums and historic churches to schools, theaters, and community landmarks, these projects demonstrate the remarkable range of places that contribute to Georgia’s heritage,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. “The need for preservation assistance remains strong throughout the state and the Georgia Trust is honored to partner with organizations and funders who are investing in the long-term stewardship of these irreplaceable resources.”
In addition to the Newington Heritage Society, grant recipients represented communities throughout Georgia, with awards supporting preservation projects in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Douglas, Forsyth, Hiawassee, Keysville, Marietta, Pine Mountain, Sautee Nacoochee, Thomasville, and Valdosta.
