07/11/2026
From Bishop DeDe Duncan Probe
Dear Friends in Christ,
As most of you know, the diocesan offices are currently located at 1020 7th North Street in Liverpool, NY, but the time has come to discern a new path forward. There are a number of reasons necessitating a change, especially as our lease will end in April 2027 and the office park is currently on the market to be sold. Further, our current office space (3,500 square feet) has long been insufficient for our diocesan needs. Our board and larger committees are unable to gather on-site; the archival space is almost impassable, and we are not able to offer ministry development.
In 2018, we began exploring alternatives, including sharing space with other religious organizations, but these proved unsuccessful. Then, the challenges of 2020 ended these conversations. In 2023, we began once again to discuss how best to structure our diocesan ministry. Given the end of our lease and the potential sale of the building, we renewed these conversations. In June 2024, the Diocesan Board, Standing Committee, Staff, and other diocesan leaders initiated an official discernment process, seeking God’s call for a diocesan home to better serve our parishes.
You may recall that I spoke about this discernment process on numerous occasions, including at Diocesan Convention 2025. The leadership of our diocese is committed to the well-being of our parishes; longevity, sustainability, and practicality are our driving principles in this discernment.
In a diocese that extends from Canada to Pennsylvania and from Utica to Elmira, our ability to remain connected and engaged is essential to the well-being of our parishes. With our four gathering spaces (Trinity, Watertown, Christ Church, Binghamton, Grace, Utica, and Ss. Peter and John, Auburn), we have established a web of grace, yet without the empowerment of a central hub, we are missing the necessary support to stay connected.
To that end, we canvassed all geographic areas in the diocese. We considered partnerships with other denominations, organizations, and our own parishes. We toured properties and, throughout, prayed, discussed, at times disagreed, but remained unified in our shared commitment to God’s call. There were several times when one possibility or another seemed just right to some and not at all to others. On June 1st, ten of us went to visit five properties on the same day, and of those, two felt as if they were worth revisiting. Interestingly, one property we initially rejected kept coming back to mind. As with most discernments, God has a way of calling us back, which is just what happened!
So, on June 8th, fourteen of our leadership, including board members, the property committee, clergy, laity, the entire staff, an architect, and members of the finance committee all carpooled to visit the now three properties. As we sat together at lunch, the group was unanimous in identifying one of the properties as the place that felt like the right call for the diocese. The property the team identified as best was the property we had initially rejected on the first trip. We have now shared that decision with the entirety of the Diocesan Board, Standing Committee, Property Committee, and Finance Committee. Each committee has voted unanimously to make an offer on the identified property. To say this was God at work almost seems an understatement. Glory! Hallelujah!
The property is a one-story building that currently houses a podiatrist’s office and a law office and has housed other organizations over the years. It is 6,000 square feet with a dedicated parking lot. The asking price was $475,000; we offered $400,000, and our offer was accepted. This past week, a thorough inspection was done, and while we will need to update a few things, the building overall is in good shape. As I write this, the sale is not yet final, so I invite you to prayerfully discern with us. And yes, if the purchase is successful, we will renovate the space to meet the needs of the diocese with an eye to future potential. It is also our intention that this new Diocesan Center be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.
Now, beloved people of Central New York, I hear you: “Well, that is all well and good, but how does this impact us?” There is good news to share about that:
Assessments will NOT be raised to accommodate the purchase of the property.
The proceeds from the sale of Thornfield Conference Center have appreciated, so utilizing the interest only (not the principal), along with a portion of the proceeds from several closed parishes, is enough to purchase the identified property.
The five-year long-term impact is low, dependent on market conditions.
We will benefit from investing in real estate, building equity, which is preferable to continuing to pay rental expenses to a landlord.
As the process continues, we will keep you informed and share frequent updates. Please visit cnyepiscopal.org/diocesan-center to see the latest information.
I know God is at work in our midst, and I am reminded of the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” I am grateful for the faithful work of our discernment team and all those who contributed to making this possible. May the love of God guide our way.
Blessings of peace for the journey,
The Right Reverend Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe
Bishop of Central New York
Our mailing address is:
Episcopal Diocese of Central New York PO Box 3520 Syracuse, NY 13220 USA
