Real Estate
Faith properties have adopted various innovative strategies to remain financially viable and continue serving their communities. Some rent out space, share sanctuaries, or have part-time clergy. Others, like St. Bartholomew’s in New York City, have leveraged valuable real estate, while others, like the Baptist Church at Clarendon, have redeveloped their properties to include affordable housing.
Many synagogues in the U.S. were built post-World War II and now face aging infrastructure that requires significant investment. As the High Holy Days approach, Karen Kolodny urges synagogue leaders to evaluate whether their physical assets are truly serving their communities. She suggests that instead of focusing solely on programmatic changes or fundraising to solve financial issues, synagogues should critically examine their buildings to understand whether the location still serves an active community, whether the layout is welcoming, and whether the building is underutilized or too expensive to maintain.
The Archdiocese of New York is in the final stages of selling the historic Holy Rosary Church in East Harlem to Kahen Development Group for $5 million. The church, built in 1900 and dating back to a purchase by its first pastor in 1884, has fallen into severe disrepair in recent decades. The sale includes both the church building and its adjoining rectory, along with 4,930 square feet of air rights.
A Catholic church in Buffalo, New York, known as St. Ann Church has been sold to the Downtown Islamic Center. The church, built in 1886 by German immigrants, had been largely unused since 2012 due to structural damage and high repair costs. The new owners plan to convert the church into a mosque and invest millions in renovations.
Faith Communities and Advocacy
On August 13th the White House hosted a gathering of over a dozen faith leaders to discuss President Biden’s climate goals and how faith-based organizations can support and benefit from the administration's climate agenda, especially as the presidential election approaches. A key focus was on how these organizations can use federal funds for clean energy initiatives through the Direct Pay provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. This provision allows tax-exempt entities, including houses of worship, to receive payments equivalent to federal clean energy tax credits, encouraging them to undertake clean energy projects.
In July, 24 clergy and lay faith activists from various religions, including Judson Memorial Church Minister Rev. Micah Bucey, were arrested after chaining themselves to the doors of CitiBank's headquarters, blocking entrances to protest the bank's financing of fossil fuel projects. Around 75 participants from diverse faiths, including Quakers, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, called for an end to fossil fuel financing, greater support for renewable energy, and respect for Indigenous communities impacted by such projects. The campaign continued with an interfaith rally outside Citi HQ in NYC, and a letter signed by over 500 faith leaders was delivered to the bank, urging it to support a green energy transition.
The Hindu American Foundation hosted a webinar focusing on the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, who have faced targeted violence since August 5. Over 85 incidents of violence against Hindus have been reported, prompting U.S.-based advocacy groups to hold protests and vigils to raise awareness and call for international intervention.
A group of Mennonites marched over 135 miles from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to the White House in Washington, D.C., to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. The march was organized by Mennonite Action, a group formed to protest the Israel-Hamas war and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. The participants included Mennonites from the U.S. and Canada, as well as interfaith supporters.
Seven campus ministry leaders reflect on their experiences with Gen Z students on campus, emphasizing their resilience, compassion, and dedication to making a positive impact through advocacy and activism on campus.
Religious Discrimination and Controversy
A planned carnival float featuring a Hindu temple for an upcoming India Day Parade in New York City has sparked controversy, with several groups labeling it as anti-Muslim and calling for its removal. Mayor Eric Adams and interfaith groups have expressed concerns about the float's divisive message, with Adams emphasizing that the city should not promote hate. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, organizing the float, defends it as a representation of a Hindu place of worship, emphasizing its significance to Indian and Hindu identity.
The Islamic Center of Rockland County, New York, issued an apology after a guest speaker delivered an antisemitic sermon that called for violence against Jewish People. The sermon sparked outrage in the community and condemnation from Rep. Mike Lawler, who urged the center to denounce the hateful rhetoric. In response, the center emphasized its longstanding commitment to peace, compassion, and justice, apologized for the pain caused, and pledged to prevent such harmful messages from being shared in the future.
Affordable Housing
Some congregations across the country are repurposing their properties to provide affordable housing, reflecting their faith and addressing the nationwide housing crisis. Arlington Presbyterian Church in Virginia sold its building to develop affordable housing while retaining space for the congregation and community services. Similarly, other churches are pursuing housing projects on their existing properties, often seeing these initiatives as mission-driven efforts rooted in social justice.
In response to the high cost of housing in Los Angeles, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has partnered with a group of Catholic leaders to provide land for a new housing development aimed at community college students and young people transitioning out of foster care. The project, known as the Willowbrook development, will feature 74 affordable housing units and on-site supportive services. The initiative is supported by the recently passed California law SB 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act, which simplifies the process of repurposing Church-owned land for housing.
In New York, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has supported Mayor Eric Adams' "City of Yes" housing proposal, making him the final borough president to endorse the plan, which seeks to add 100,000 new homes across New York City by easing zoning restrictions. The plan includes provisions such as allowing larger buildings in high-density areas if they include affordable housing and facilitating office-to-residential conversions and now heads to the City Planning Commission and City Council for approval. Click here to see how your community board and borough president voted.
A former Catholic church in New York City's East Village will be redeveloped into a residential development with over 500 affordable housing units. The project will include homes for seniors, formerly homeless individuals, and those with special needs.
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