ST. PHILIP PRESBYTERIAN IS NOT FOR SALE 
“The enduring themes of conversation here include traffic and real estate,” intoned Pastor John Wurster in his Easter Sunday sermon in front of the blue tiled chancel wall in the sanctuary of the St. Philip Presbyterian Church, which is sited on a prime slice of Uptown land at 4807 San Felipe St. “The real estate conversations seem to happen exclusively with those outside of the church. These are the people who call expressing an interest in buying the church property. I explain that we’re not looking to sell. Of course, you are. Everyone is willing to sell at some point. Just tell us what that point is. No, really, we feel like this is where God has called us. This kind of theological talk tends to bring no response beyond bafflement, as if it’s not possible that one could be in a place and not be willing to leave it if the price were right, as if it’s not possible that decisions and actions might be motivated by something besides money.” Saint Philip’s congregation merged with Central Presbyterian Church a few years ago, shortly before that congregation sold its Richmond Dr. facility to the Morgan Group. Central Presbyterian was torn down for apartments in 2011. [St. Philip Presbyterian; previously on Swamplot] Photo: church member Jeromy Murphy
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Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me!
(not exactly Presbyterian, but Protestant at least…)
This is why churches shouldn’t be tax exempt–they sit on valuable land like this with no pressure to sale and the city gets zero benefit–sale the stupid church for a hefty profit and rebuild elsewhere–like Cape Town, South Africa
Mike,
There actually is a dramatic statue of Martin Luther on the ground of St. Philip.
Shouldn’t there be a statue of John Calvin on their campus instead of Martin Luther?
A statue of John Knox might be appropriate, though he would strongly disapprove of any such idol.
This is nothing new, and urban churches will continue to be approached by developers. The same thing has happened at my church in the Heights. But, churches recognize the need to be in urban areas, and I hope residents recognize the services that churches can provide.
http://cdandrews.blogspot.com/2014/04/urban-churches-were-on-mission-from-god.html