SAN MARCOS, Texas --- The city of San Marcos has been selected as one of 20 cities across the nation in the running to receive grant money for a historic building.

The top 10 cities will be awarded $150,000. The money would go toward restoration efforts for the historic First Baptist Church, located in the Dunbar neighborhood.

According to oral accounts, the original location of the church was burned to the ground by the KKK. It was rebuilt around the corner in 1908. Congregation members Wallace Cheatham and Robert Bratton have seen the church's phases firsthand.

"The thing we like the most is that we are still here through the hardships of those that have came before us. They probably would love to see where we're at right now," Bratton said.

The church has been vacant since 1986 after the congregation moved into a new building.

"Never want to see it torn down. My heart is still in this building. I started here and to see it disappear would just be disheartening to me," Bratton said.

Members of the Calaboose Museum across the street have raised around $6,000 for restoration. 

"Why continue to allow something to deteriorate, something to just fall apart that means so much for the community and our history and you can do something about it? Why not,” said Ramika Adams, Calaboose board member.

The contest is through Partners in Preservation, and voting is open now through Oct. 26.

"There have been several pushes over time to restore the property and to make it useable again for the community and for the city. This is just the latest iteration of that," said Josie Falletta, San Marcos Main Street interim manager.

If selected, repairs would begin no later than July 1 of next summer, and restoration would take one year. People can cast their vote on the National Geographic website. The website requires you to create an account and verify your email address. Each user is allocated five votes per day, every day through Oct. 26. The winners will be announced Oct. 29.