Too Costly to Keep, So They Moved Into a Church: A Diocese Sells Its Headquarters to an Arts Centre

• The Diocese of Newark is selling 31 Mulberry Street to NJPAC for $3.85 million
• The building had been its headquarters since 1997
• Offices will move to the former St Peter’s Church in Livingston, closed in 2021
• The move was expected to be complete by September 2024

An Episcopal diocese in New Jersey is swapping an ageing office building for a church it already owns, Anglican Ink reported in July 2023.

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark agreed to sell Episcopal House, its headquarters at 31 Mulberry Street in Newark, to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for $3.85 million. The arts centre wanted the property for its expansion. Bishop Carlye Hughes had cited the building’s physical limitations, and proceeds were to fund the purchase and renovation of a new home, with any remainder going to the diocesan endowment.

The diocese chose the former St Peter’s Church on Mount Pleasant Avenue in Livingston, which held its final service on 2 November 2021. Its relocation committee cited parking for more than 60 cars, a central location, accessibility and a single-floor workspace. It said that choosing a building originally built for worship over a sterile office building, and making good use of a property the diocese already owned, both held strong appeal.

Earlier, Bishop Hughes had said the search would look for “a location that can be a visible presence in the community; is welcoming and hospitable to visitors, including better parking.” The move was expected to be completed by September 2024.

The deal turns two problem properties into one solution: an expensive city office is sold at a good price, and a closed church gets a new use without the diocese having to buy anything.

Jamaican denominations with closed or underused churches and rented or ageing offices could look for similar matches. Converting a church into offices needs planning approval and careful design, but it can save rent, keep a historic building in use and free up capital.

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