June 3, 2019
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
During my time as your bishop, among my utmost concerns has been the vitality of Trinity Cathedral, and its rightful place in the heart of our diocese and the downtown community in which it is situated. This concern was a primary factor in the decision to return the diocesan offices from Monroeville to the Cathedral in 2015, and two years later, to form a Trinity Cathedral Working Group to discern the best steps forward for the Cathedral and its mission.
The Working Group brought together 15 professionals in the fields of architecture, construction, real estate development, and finance. Each of them held a deep respect for the mission of the Episcopal Church, a love for the Cathedral, and an appreciation of its potential. The group worked closely with the Cathedral Chapter, the Cathedral clergy, and the diocesan Board of Trustees, and through these deliberations two major outcomes emerged: First, a solid commitment to the vision of Trinity as a “cathedral for the city and the diocese, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the arts, education, and social empowerment,” and second, the realization that the adjacent office and meeting space – Trinity House – is a largely under-utilized asset that could be of great value in a robust real estate market such as downtown Pittsburgh now enjoys.
So today, I am pleased to announce that the Chapter has entered into a partnership with Colliers International, a leading commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services firm, to market the Trinity House space to interested parties. Colliers International will pursue two alternatives simultaneously: finding a tenant under a mid- to long-term triple net lease, or identifying a developer to convert the site to make it more attractive for commercial use. Still to be investigated is whether a potential development could utilize air rights above the property to expand the available space.
With either alternative, it is our resolve that the Cathedral itself and its mission would not only be preserved, but prosper. As the plan is executed, the existing Cathedral building can properly handle the current and future needs of the congregation, and there will be no interruption to the worship, meetings and services offered there.
I am grateful that this partnership was approved by the Chapter and Provost Aidan Smith, who are poised to take advantage of the residential growth downtown and in the nearby Strip District, and endorsed by the Trustees, who have already helped stabilize the Cathedral’s finances. And, I thank Colliers International, which emerged as a clear leader among other prospective partners through their grasp of the importance of Trinity’s position in the city and the diocese, their enthusiasm for our stated vision, and their excellent reputation as brokers.
Finally, I ask for the prayers of all who love Trinity Cathedral and the City of Pittsburgh, that the Lord may use our efforts for the good of all God’s children in this region, that they may prosper, in body, mind and spirit, through the love of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Faithfully your bishop,
(The Right Reverend) Dorsey W.M. McConnell, D.D.
VIII Bishop of Pittsburgh