Cranaleith Spiritual Center Receives State Grant for Structural Improvements to Historic Mill-Rae House, Says White

June 10, 2021

HARRISBURG – The Cranaleith Spiritual Center in the Somerton section of Northeast Philadelphia has been awarded a $11,344 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant for preservation efforts of the main home on the property, announced Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).

The grant will be used to repoint the stone porch steps on the historic Mill-Rae house, built in 1890, and a set of historic stone access stairs located on the 10-acre property. Cranaleith uses the Mill-Rae house, designed by Minerva Parker Nichols for women’s suffrage movement activist Rachel Foster Avery, to conduct its spiritual ministries. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

“I was happy to advocate for this funding to help preserve the historic Mill-Rae home and improve the safety and accessibility of the site,” said White. “I commend the operators of Cranaleith for having the initiative to apply for the grant and provide matching funds to help restore the property.”

“As stewards of Mill-Rae, it is our goal to preserve the historic property and make it accessible to those who seek spiritual solace and renewal,” said Deborah Kost, executive director of Cranaleith Spiritual Center. “Thanks to the generous support of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, we will continue to improve our guests’ experience with Cranaleith, Mill-Rae and the surrounding landscape.”

This project will cost a total of $22,688. A 50% match of funds will be provided by Cranaleith, a retreat and conference center sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. 


Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com 
RepWhite.com / facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite