This is sad on a number of levels. First, I was an assistant at St. Francis a number of years ago and so I know firsthand what a beautiful site, church and other buildings the church is leaving. Second, as a rector who has also left building to pecusa, I know how painful it is. However, the gospel comes before property (unless, of course, you are pecusa). ed.
EL PASO, TX: Former St. Francis on the Hill Congregation to Vacate Church
Over 400 parishioners will move to new Westside location
CONTACT: The Reverend Canon Dr. Felix Orji, OSB.
July 5, 2011
Members of the former St. Francis on the Hill Church will move to another westside property, leaving the original building and grounds to the Diocese of the Rio Grande and the Episcopal Church of the USA. The move comes as part of a mutual agreement between the Diocese and the former St. Francis on the Hill congregation to end a three-year legal dispute over the property.
The settlement was reached in early June between The Reverend Canon Dr. Felix Orji, Rector of the former St. Francis on the Hill Church, and The Right Reverend Dr. Michael L. Vono, Bishop of the Episcopal Church's Rio Grande Diocese. Both church leaders said the final details of the agreement are currently being completed, but as part of the settlement, the former St. Francis congregation will be out of the church facilities on Los Robles Drive at the end of July. The congregation will move to a new facility at 470 Eagle Dr., off Wallenberg Drive near the Polly Harris Senior Center on El Paso's west side.
In 2008, the former St. Francis on the Hill vestry and congregation voted to leave the Episcopal Church of the USA. That vote was unanimous, and since that time, the congregation has become affiliated with the worldwide Anglican Communion, through the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). The congregation's new church will be called St. Francis Anglican Church, while the St. Francis on the Hill name will revert back to the Episcopal Church and its Diocese, and belong to the continuing congregation.
Ron Munden, Senior Warden for St. Francis Anglican Church, said for most of the former St. Francis on the Hill parishioners, the move represents a welcome end to a long and frustrating struggle. "We didn't want to lose our church," said Munden, "but this has been a tiring ordeal for all of us. We believe the settlement will now let us begin a new and exciting chapter in establishing a new church property."
In reference to his 60+ years, Munden quipped, "How many guys my age have a chance to begin a new adventure like this?" He added, "Overall, the parish is excited and as a family, we're looking forward to moving to our new home."
The Reverend Canon Dr. Felix Orji, former St. Francis on the Hill rector who will be consecrated as Bishop in the Anglican Church of North America this fall, said leaving the church on the hill will be disappointing to some former parishioners who have worshipped in that location since 1975.
"I can understand the emotional ties some in our congregation have to that property," said Orji, "but the truth is, our church - wherever it is - is really the people within our Anglican communion. It is not the building. We will continue to grow in spirit and numbers as we follow Christ in obedience to His word." Orji said he and the vestry of the former St. Francis on the Hill church are pleased to end the legal disputes with the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
"My discussions with Bishop Vono were amicable and fruitful," said Orji. I firmly believe that Bishop Vono wanted to end the battle as much as we did. And to that end, he and I worked in concert to try and find an acceptable solution for both parties. I appreciate the fact that Bishop Vono got involved in this issue on a personal level." Dr. Orji added, "I am excited about the future God has for us."
The St. Francis Anglican Church will begin worship at the new location on Eagle Drive on Sunday, August 7.
Fr. Orji will be consecrated a bishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to minister here in the USA later this year.
---The Rev'd Canon Dr. Felix Orji, OSB is Rector and Bishop-Elect, St. Francis Anglican Church He can be reached here: felixorji@yahoo.ca
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