We are contacting you today about a development of grave concern for our beloved Cathedral community.
During the past two years we have provided periodic updates on the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago’s intention to sell its headquarters at 65 E. Huron, the lot adjacent to the Cathedral. As you may recall, St. James has sought to collaborate with the Diocesan leadership – known as the Bishops and Trustees (B&T) – to ensure that the Cathedral parish is not adversely affected in the aftermath of the sale.
The issue resurfaced this month when B&T announced that it was resurrecting efforts to sell 65 E. Huron, and we are decidedly disheartened to report that St. James would face a potentially profound – and possibly dire – dilemma if the final parameters of the sale adhere to the terms that Diocesan leaders have arbitrarily imposed on our community.
Simply put, the proposed terms of the sale would unilaterally assign new cost burdens to St, James without providing sufficient revenues to pay for them. Those new expenses – partially resulting from B&T’s decision to abdicate its current role as a de facto landlord to the parish – would include full responsibility for the hefty cost of deferred maintenance of the Cathedral building, replacement of heating and cooling systems that would be decoupled from the church structure during demolition of 65 E. Huron, acquisition of a new parish hall and office space for Cathedral staff; and replacement of ADA-compliant access to facilities.
The arrangement seems destined to leave the parish financially impaired, plagued by long-term structural deficits that could force the elimination of critical ministries serving people in need. Indeed, barring some change in the Bishop & Trustee’s plan, we must even account for the possibility that St. James, as a parish, would be forced to close.
Fortunately, there is time to avert such a plight for the parish. That’s why we are raising awareness now about the manifest harms the property sale could inflict on the Cathedral.
Accordingly, Cathedral Chapter has sent a letter to B&T notifying them of our concerns.
Our letter follows many previous overtures we have made to B&T asking to work in concert on a structure for the sale that would promote the stability of our shared ministry. Nonetheless, B&T unilaterally imposed the current parameters that are so problematic. But we remain hopeful that, by clearly explaining to B&T how its proposed terms of sale threaten the Cathedral’s financial future, its members will entertain the dialogue necessary to achieve a mutually harmonious solution, so no harm is done to their mother church.
We will, of course, be keeping the Cathedral community apprised of this issue as it evolves.
Nicole Spencer
Senior Warden
Susan Fickling
Junior Warden
Erin Maus
Chancellor
The Very Rev. Dominic Barrington
Dean of the Cathedral
The Rev. Canon Lisa Hackney-James
Sub-Dean of the Cathedral
