Grier Heights Cemetery Restoration Aided by Matching Grant Program
Published on March 13, 2024
On February 18, a special event celebrated the efforts to restore the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Church cemeteries, located in Grier Heights and SouthPark, key historical sites that reflect the church's enduring legacy in Charlotte.
The project is currently focusing on the cemetery in Grier Heights, positioned behind Thompson Child and Family Focus near Wendover and Marvin Road. This portion of the restoration, backed by a Neighborhood Matching Grant from the City of Charlotte, successfully employed ground-penetrating radar to uncover unmarked graves within the 0.85-acre site.
Dr. Stacey Price Brown, President of the Grier Heights Community Improvement Organization, was essential in getting this phase off the ground. She was motivated by the success of previous projects that were supported by the Neighborhood Matching Grant program. Sharing her experience, Dr. Brown said, "I learned about the Neighborhood Matching Grant program, really, a few years back. Our community received a Neighborhood Matching Grant to help install some historical signage." She added that when the opportunity for this project presented itself and funding was needed, pursuing the grant seemed like the natural step to take.
Kim Barnes, from the City of Charlotte's Neighborhood Engagement Service Team, was the community's liaison for this project. Barnes was key in connecting the community with the city's resources, emphasizing the city’s supportive role.
"We capacity build in communities,” she said. “It's not about us making decisions for them. It's about them discovering what's most important to them and then us coming in and supporting it and providing resources and research. So we've spent time researching and finding ways for them to get this going and they have become passionate about it."
The St. Lloyd Presbyterian Church Foundation's future plans include the addition of historical signage and exhibits, which will provide educational insights and highlight the significance of these sites to visitors.
The City of Charlotte invites residents and organizations to leverage city resources for their own neighborhood projects.
Experience the Restoration Journey: Watch the Project Video.