A 1913 Mansion Sold for $1.2 Million: A Diocese Gives Up Its Headquarters and Rents Space in a Parish

• The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester sold its 12,000-square-foot headquarters
• The 1913 mansion on East Avenue had housed the diocese since 1954
• The sale closed on January 31, 2017, for about $1.2 million
• The diocese moved into rented space at St Peter’s Church in Henrietta

An Episcopal diocese in New York State has sold its historic headquarters and invested the money, The Living Church reported in February 2017.

The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester closed the sale of Diocesan House at 935 East Avenue on January 31, 2017, for about $1.2 million. The buyer was East 935, LLC. The 12,000-square-foot building was built in 1913 for Elizabeth Sibley Stebbins and had served as the diocesan office and bishop’s headquarters since 1954. It stands in the East Avenue Historic District.

The diocese described the sale as an act of stewardship and a way to scale its offices appropriately. It moved into rented space at St Peter’s Church, 3825 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, about nine miles south-west of the old building.

“By the grace of God, we closed on Diocesan House and have invested the proceeds for future mission and ministry,” said Bishop Prince G. Singh. Of the new location, he said: “We have been warmly received by the rector and faithful saints of St. Peter’s.” Chief financial officer Todd Rubiano, thanking the advisers involved, said: “They helped us both in the discernment and careful execution of this important decision.”

The move turns a costly historic building into an investment that produces income, while putting diocesan staff inside a working parish. For the parish, a church tenant brings rent; for the diocese, it removes the upkeep of a century-old mansion.

Jamaican denominations with grand old headquarters, manses or offices may face similar choices. Selling or leasing a costly building and sharing space with a congregation can free money for ministry. The key steps are a proper valuation, advice on any heritage restrictions, a clear plan for investing the proceeds, and a written agreement with any host church.

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