St. Peter's: Needs your vote to win grant money. Reporter file photoSt. Peter's on Bowdoin Street could get an infusion of much-needed grant money to help repair the historic church — if it wins enough votes in an online competition.

According to neighbor Jeff Gonyeau, the church is "one of 25 sites" - and the only one in Dorchester- that have been invited to compete for an important and prestigious grant from Partners in Preservation—a new joint initiative of the National Trust for Preservation and American Express." A total of $1 million will given, with the largest portion going to the site who receives the most votes at this website.

Gonyeau notes: "I am already receiving a flurry of emails from competing sites urging their constituencies to vote, so Dorchester needs to step up and demonstrate that we as a neighborhood value our historic heritage! You can vote once a day up until voting closes on May 17th.
So—spread the word and encourage people to participate in this important chance to demonstrate that Dorchester cares about its history and architecture."

For much more on the history of St. Peter's, the Reporter recommends Earl Taylor's excellent Dorchester Atheneum website.