From the Rector & Wardens: Time-Sensitive Property Discussions

Letter from Wardens & Rector - January 14, 2022

Dear Friends,

Last week, we learned that the Ordway's House (next to Gale House, on the corner of Lincoln and E Central) is coming on the market.

Over the years, through friendship and shared ministry with the Ordway family, St. Paul's has considered what might happen if the Ordway's sold the house next to us. Would the church want to buy it? What kinds of things would we do? What would it cost in hours and dollars? Back in 2004/2005 when there was a belief that the house may become available, our church community discussed a number of concepts involving elderly housing, parking, church offices, and meeting spaces in a new building to span across our current properties as well as the corner lot.

These ideas were held knowing that a multi-million dollar capital campaign would be necessary, and that a partnership with another nonprofit or developer would be part of the plan as well. It was clear then (and now) that the project would require a significant amount of time and resources over the course of a number of years.

That said, now that the house is on the market, we have an opportunity to come together to discuss how that "Coming Soon" realtor sign on the corner might affect our own visioning work.

This could also be an opportune time to consider selling Gale House (two properties possibly being more attractive to a buyer than each one individually). Gale House, in addition to being inaccessible in its current state, has tremendous repair and renovation needs. Could the proceeds from the sale of Gale House be seed money to build 'green' office spaces onto the church? There are many possibilities to consider.

We are in a much different place as a church than we were in in 2005. Both pandemic and non-pandemic realities have shifted. Whether we consider finding a way to purchase the Ordway house, sell Gale House to seed renovations on the church footprint, or do nothing, we'd like to gather and hear people's thoughts.

Come share your ideas! Let's explore what the idea is, why we would want to do it, who would lead the effort (and how many people would be needed to carry the project along), and how we might achieve it. We invite you to come talk with us on Zoom on Sunday January 23rd at either the 10:45am coffee hour or 6:30pm (same Zoom link either way). If you can't come (and even if you can!) we invite you to fill out this survey and we will share your thoughts and ideas at these meetings.

Never a dull moment...but as always, we are yours in Christ,

~Becky, Renée, Hamish, and Betsy