The Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn UMC.
TAMMYE NASH | Managing Editor
Nash@DallasVoice.com
Leaders at the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church this week announced that the church is “seeking a development partner” to explore the possibility of redevelopment of part of the church property that could include “a mix of retail, office, multi-family or loft residential space across approximately 55,000 square feet, including 18,000 square feet of adaptive reuse,” according to a press release from the church.
Through this decision, the press release noted, the church is “reaffirming its long-standing commitment to its historic home at the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road with a clear message to the community: We are here to stay. We are here for good.”
The Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, Oak Lawn UMC’s senior pastor, explained, “We are exploring a partnership with a developer as part of a long-term stewardship strategy.
“We will remain rooted in our historic location — we are not leaving — and we are not approaching this simply as a sale. We are discerning how portions of underutilized property can be redeveloped in ways that serve the neighborhood while supporting the church’s ongoing ministry.”
The church, founded in 1874, recently completed a “significant restoration” of its sanctuary, which has been designated as an historic landmark, as well as improvements to the building exterior and surrounding landscape. That work, church leaders said in the press release, “ensur[es] that this sacred space will continue to serve the community for generations to come.”
The press release continued, “At the same time, church leadership has recognized an opportunity to steward its resources more effectively for the future.”
Griffin-Allison joined the staff as senior pastor in 2017. Under her leadership, the church has focused on a mission to “amplify God’s love through radical hospitality, serving our neighbors, and standing up for justice,” including what Griffin-Allison has termed acts of sacred resistance, such as painting the church’s front steps in the colors of the rainbow as a response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s edict ordering that The Gayborhood’s rainbow crosswalks be removed.
Commitment to the community
While some may see the church’s decision to offer a portion of its property for development as an indication that Oak Lawn UMC is facing financial difficulties, possibly due in part to its vocal and visible support for the LGBTQ+ community, Griffin-Allison this week said such assumptions are not true.
It is instead, she said, part of the church’s commitment to continuing its work within the LGBTQ+ community and the community at a whole.
“This is not a response to a financial crisis,” the pastor said. “This is about faithful stewardship and long-term sustainability. Like many historic congregations in growing urban areas, we are asking how to best use the resources we’ve been entrusted with to ensure we can continue serving the community for generations to come.”
And, she added, the church stands firm in its commitment to social justice, not just the LGBTQ+ community but to all the communities the church serves.
“Our commitment to being a fully inclusive and affirming congregation is central to who we are,” Griffin-Allison said, adding that “response [to the church’s work in and for the LGBTQ+ community] has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from those who have long been seeking a church where they can belong fully.
“Being clear about our values — including visible expressions like the painted steps — has strengthened our sense of identity and deepened engagement within our community.”
Vision for development
The church is looking for a developer who “understands the church’s unique role in the Oak Lawn community and shares its vision for responsible, community-oriented growth,” according to the announcement earlier this week.
Griffin-Allison explained, “When we talk about ‘responsible, community-oriented growth,’ we mean development that reflects our mission and values.”
That mission, she continued, is “prioritizing community benefit, honoring the historic nature of our site, and contributing to a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood.”
Potential uses could include a mix of retail, office and multi-family or loft residential space across about 55,000 square feet, including 18,000 square feet of adaptive reuse.
“But,” Griffin-Allison said, “we are still in the early stages of discernment and partnership conversations, so no final plans or timeline have been set.”
The portion of the church property being considered for redevelopment includes the area currently occupied by Union Coffee. Griffin-Allison said plans for redevelopment would not necessarily mean a change in the coffee shop’s location.
“Union Coffee has been an important part of the life and hospitality of our campus and the broader neighborhood,” Griffin-Allison said. “As we look toward the future, we’re open to the possibility of Union remaining as part of that shared space, while also recognizing that their own growth may include exploring additional or new locations.
“Regardless of what takes shape, we are committed to ensuring that this space continues to be a place where the community can gather and experience connection, hospitality, and vitality,” she said.
Griffin-Allison said that the church has “engaged Eliza Solender of Solender/Hall, Inc. and Noreen Mehdi Weathers of CBRE to guide conversations with potential partners.”
Interested parties, the church’s press release noted, should contact Eliza Solender at Eliza@SolenderHall.com or Noreen Mehdi Weathers at Noreen.Mehdi@CBRE.com.