Another area religious organization is selling an historic building. This time, it's the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, Prince Singh has written to church members letting them know that the trustees and staff are looking to sell the stately mansion they use for administrative offices on East Avenue.
Singh says it's not because of declining interest in the church. In fact, he says a number of episcopal churches throughout their 8-county region have been growing. The Bishop says this has more to do with the fact they really don't need such a large building for administrative staff, since they are only using a portion of it, and the church itself, has a more decentralized model.
“It has helped us to be a lot ore nimble, a lot more flexible, and more interactive and in that sense of the word, a ‘networking’ church.”
The house has been used by the Episcopal Diocese for more than 60 years. It was originally constructed in 1917. The “Diocesan House” was purchased in 1954 from Elizabeth Sibley Stebbins, one of the early leaders in the diocese.
Singh says the diocese may look for temporary space for its offices until it decides how it wants to be set up in the future.
Last month it was announced that Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School plans to sell its historic buildings and campus near Highland Park. That school will continue in operation, but officials said the current facility just doesn’t meet the needs of the students.
