Epiphany Rectory

Epiphany’s purchase of a rectory in Owl Creek was a spectacular opportunity that realized the Capital Campaign goal of having a parish-owned priest residence. This purchase truly was a unique and unexpected opportunity that checked off all the necessary boxes for parish leadership.

Here are some key points of information regarding this new property:
Address: 1123 Garden Creek Circle in the Owl Creek neighborhood. Feel free to drive by!

Why Owl Creek? This home came up for sale “as is” and needed updating and remodeling, driving its low cost for Anchorage, where our parish is located. This location makes the commute for our Pastor (current and future ones) just a few minutes, allowing him greater flexibility in utilizing his time. For example, he can go home for dinner before evening meetings. It is also within the boundaries of our
parish, recommended by the Archdiocese for a priest’s residence!

Why such a “big” house? The Archdiocese requires that each parish be able to house not just the Pastor, but other priests, such as a visiting Mexican priest and seminarians. Seminarian Tony/Fr. Tony had to live at other rectories (as far as Lourdes). More collaboration and mentoring can occur when priests are under one roof. Rectories are also required to have individual private spaces separate from bedrooms.

Is a third floor necessary? This floor can be used for short-term visitors, a chapel area for our priests, and storage if needed.

How high will the taxes be? Being a charitable organization, we are not required to pay taxes. There will be a yearly neighborhood association fee, which covers trash pick-up, recycling pick-up, lawn waste pick-up, neighborhood upkeep, and snow removal.

Was it really a great deal? Yes, Epiphany bought the property below value ($126,000 less!). We are fortunate to have a realtor on our Finance Advisory Council. He refused the realtor fees when he helped us purchase the property. Plus, this parishioner facilitated with a
title company that waived their fees.

Let’s talk about expenses! We are mandated to cover all living expenses for an assigned Epiphany pastor. As the only parish with no parish-owned housing for a priest, we have to reimburse a pastor for his living expenses, including mortgage payments, mileage to and
from Epiphany, and more. These mortgage expenses are not an investment for us as is this new Rectory. When we have a visiting priest or an Associate, Epiphany covers those fees in addition to our own pastor’s expenses.

Will it cost a lot to renovate? We have a team developing a plan to tastefully and modestly renovate the space to accommodate the Archdiocesan requirements for multiple priests without affecting its resale value. The house has excellent bones but does require
significant cosmetic work. Tentative plans are to use the talent in the parish to keep costs lower. We are also blessed to have been gifted $90,000 from a generous benefactor to assist in the purchase, renovation, and furnishings of the property.

You can contact our Business Manager Mary Downs if you want more information regarding the new Rectory. We will keep you updated on the progress of all of the renovations generously funded by the Celebrating Our Future Capital Campaign. We are grateful for everyone’s patience as we work through this renovation. Your contributions already received allow us to pay for the projects as we complete them, saving us from paying interest on a loan. Your commitment makes a difference!