It's the oldest African American Congregation in Onondaga County and one of the People's AME Zion Church's historic places of worship has been saved from demolition. Community members got the building at 711 East Fayette Street on the National Register of Historic places last year. As our Katie Gibas reports, organizers are taking restoration efforts to the next level.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Despite its looks, the People's AME Zion church is a staple in the Syracuse community and an important part of the area's history. The congregation dates back to the 1830s where it played a large role in the underground railroad. In the 20th century, it was crucial for the civil rights movement.

"The AME Zion Church has the nickname of the Freedom Church. This particular building absolutely epitomizes that goal and that legacy," said Judith Wellman, People's AME Zion Church Researcher.

The building itself was constructed in 1910 but has been vacant since the late 1970s when the congregation moved to a new building. The church fell into disrepair. Now, the estimated cost to fix it is $800,000. But thanks to getting the building onto the National Register of Historic places, it has been saved from demolition.

"Being on the national registry will allow us to bring different programs into the building and just give us a jump start to rehab the building. This is a gem. And we don't want to see it razed and made into another parking lot. It's something that the whole city can hold onto and enjoy," said Elton Davis, a People's AME Zion Church Trustee.

Tuesday night was the official kickoff to the fundraising campaign, and church leaders say it's an important and historic step.

"Given the fact of the building's deterioration, we thought that we would have to sell it in order to get it out of our hands because it simply was just too much to take care of. But thanks to the help of the community and partners coming together, we're actually able to turn it around," said Daren Jaime, the People's AME Zion Church Pastor.

There's still a long road to recovery for the church, but organizers are confident, with the community's help, they'll be able to completely restore the historic building.

In order to pay for the renovations, organizers are applying for an Environmental Protection Agency grant that would match any money raised three to one.