Congress has approved $100,000 in federal funding to help with the restoration of historic St. Luke AME Church, 900 N.Y.

The funding, from the Saving America’s Treasures program, is included in the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2006.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., who sought the funding, was pleased.

“Too many of our historic sites, monuments, artifacts and documents are deteriorating and in danger of being lost forever,” said Moore, who represents the 3rd District, which includes the eastern half of Lawrence and Douglas County. “It is important that we act now to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience our past and understand our identity as a community and as a nation.”

The nearly 100-year-old church is in need of major renovations and a study is to be conducted to determine how much it will cost to make those renovations. In August church officials hope to find out if the building will receive a designation on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church has numerous historical ties with prominent black families in Lawrence who were involved in the church. When he was a boy, noted author Langston Hughes attended the church.

The Rev. Verdell Taylor of St. Luke’s was not available for comment Saturday.