Right now, many other Japanese Buddhist temples across the Hawaiian Islands are in a period of decline. Rebirth is uncertain. At one time they were social hubs, “but that changed,” Rev. Reyn Yorio Tsuru says. The number of active temples has dwindled from almost 200 to about 50, as the congregations age and shrink. “A lot of temples are going to have to make the decision to continue,” Tsuru says. “Do we even want to continue?”
In April 2023, the Northeast Chapter of the Association of Preservation Technology (APTNE) led a tour of First Presbyterian Church of Stanford, and we wanted to bring you along to marvel at the “Fish Church” and its bejeweled interior.
For many, the act of listening to or performing music is often described as something sacred. In many religions around the world, foundational sacred texts and stories feature music as a recurring theme, and music has become an engaging way of expressing prayers in worship services. The natural connection between worship and music has grown over time as sacred sites have doubled as rehearsal and performance spaces which welcome broader audiences and foster cultural enrichment. Read more about National Fund participants and their connections to music.
