Expanding Our Footprint

Several weeks ago, I learned that the Bassett Law Firm, which owns and occupies two buildings that face College Avenue and that adjoin our parking lot, was planning to sell those buildings. I was asked whether St. Paul’s would be interested in buying them, and, after checking with the Wardens and Treasurer, I was delighted to let them know that we were. In fairly short order, the Vestry met and voted to make a formal offer on the properties, and, after a brief negotiation, we agreed on a purchase price. As of this afternoon, the last contingencies on the purchase have been lifted, and we will close on the sale in November.

Not long after I arrived here, I heard some stories about our parish’s attempts over the years to buy those buildings. We have always maintained a positive relationship with the Bassett firm through our parishioners and other friends who work there. We repeatedly let them know that, if they ever decided that they wanted to sell the properties, we hoped that they would contact us first. In Fayetteville, downtown real estate with dedicated parking does not come up for sale very often, and, because these properties adjoin our church, they provide a critical, strategic resource for our parish whenever we decide to expand our current footprint. To the Vestry, this felt like a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure this asset, and I am grateful for their vision and leadership, which have made this purchase possible.

You may be wondering what St. Paul’s will do with two office buildings. Initially, we will not do anything with them except rent them out to tenants. The Bassett firm has agreed to lease back one of the two buildings, and we will begin looking for a tenant for the second building immediately. We feel confident that the rental income we will receive for both buildings will more than cover the cost of a loan to purchase them and the cost of keeping up the properties. In effect, therefore, we have time on our side. Although St. Paul’s will be carrying that debt until we choose to do something else with the properties, we will be able to purchase them without any impact on our operating budget. When the time comes for us to utilize the properties for the ministries of the parish, we will take steps to raise the money necessary to pay off the remaining principal on the loan. In the meantime, we can dream about how those buildings might be used for the mission of St. Paul’s.

How might we use those buildings to explore and celebrate God’s infinite grace, acceptance, and love? The possibilities are endless—far too many to anticipate a particular outcome now. We could use them for children and youth ministry. We could move the church office there and make our current offices available for new classrooms and meeting space. We could expand our feeding ministries. Our twelve-step groups and other outside partners could have a place to gather without worrying about being displaced by church functions. We could offer an after-school program or a preschool. If our current nave or other buildings are expanded and take up part of the parking lot, those buildings could be demolished to make way for parking. At this point, we do not know exactly how they will be used, but we do know that they are an important asset for our church’s future. 

For now, we can celebrate. Soon, the time will come for us to discern how God is calling us to use this great resource. When that becomes clear, we can begin the process of raising money to pay off that loan and to do other exciting things at our church. Until then, we anticipate that none of your regular gifts and offerings will be needed to pay for this purchase. That means that what we need from you is prayerful dreaming. What is God calling us to do next? Aren’t you glad to be a part of a church that asks that question and means it?

Yours Faithfully,

Evan