Diocese of Georgia to sell diocesan offices, move into building of shuttered church
[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of Georgia plans to move from its current diocesan offices into another Savannah building vacated last year when one of the diocese’s churches closed, a shift that Bishop Frank Logue said brings numerous financial and ministry benefits.
The current diocesan offices are located on 34th Street in Savanah in a building, purchased in 2018, that Logue described as both beautiful and costly to maintain, as well as posing accessibility challenges for people with disabilities. The new location will be in the former home of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, which closed in July 2023 after a vote of its vestry.
The diocese has sold the congregation’s former rectory, using the proceeds to catch up on deferred maintenance on the church building, Logue said. The diocese also has continued congregational ministries there that were serving more than 350 people.
Proceeds from the sale of the old diocesan office building will allow the diocese to pay off all of its outstanding debt, with $1 million left over to invest and support the diocesan budget. The new location offers “greater accessibility where other ministry is also happening,” Logue said. The worship space at the former St. Michael and All Angeles will become a diocesan chapel.
“This decision is about focusing on what matters most,” Logue said. “Worship is the heart of ministry, and so all of our congregations matter. The work of your bishop and diocesan staff is also important ministry, as is feeding our neighbors in need and otherwise engaging with the community around us.”
