Stewarding Our Land
Strengthening our Community
As we look to the future of the growing Diocese of Dallas, it is essential to address the evolving needs of our community and our ministries. One strategy we are considering is how our church properties might be used to best support a community need and enhance our future mission initiatives.
The Diocese of Dallas has engaged JLL to explore potential developer interest on six pilot sites across the metroplex. JLL will gauge developer interest at each site evaluating their current value, potential for future use, and alignment with our mission. Each Parish will evaluate the results of this study and will make their own decisions if there is a next step to explore.
The goal for this pilot is to evaluate whether some of our land could be better utilized to strengthen our church’s mission and outreach efforts, creating lasting benefits for our community and enhancing our ability to fulfill our spiritual and charitable goals.
By making informed and deliberate decisions regarding our properties, we aim to secure a future where our church can continue to thrive and serve its mission in this growing region.
F.A.Q.
There’s a growing national trend where churches are reassessing their physical assets, particularly their land, to ensure it is being used to the fullest potential. Five campuses have joined the Diocese of Dallas in this exploration. This study will explore if some land that sits vacant at each campus could be better utilized to enhance the mission of the church, enrich the lives of those we serve and potentially bring third party revenues to help fund mission activities. For those interested in further research on this national trend, there is much work being done at The University of Notre Dame at https://churchproperties.nd.edu/ on the subject church real estate.
Five sites reside in Collin County. As we all know, Collin County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas and the United States. Working with the Diocese, we believed the pilot would be most effectively tested in a high-growth area where the demands continue to grow. By focusing on such a dynamic environment, we might better understand how to adapt and optimize our real estate to meet growing needs and enhance our impact.
We are. A Steering Committee has been formed with representatives from the Diocese and the five sites. The Diocese of Dallas has engaged JLL to lead the real estate analysis. JLL will gauge developer interest on a portion of the vacant land at each site evaluating the current value and potential for future use. The five sites in this study are St. Jude – Allen, St. Michael the Archangel – McKinney, St. Francis of Assisi – Frisco, Our Lady of Angels – Allen, and Holy Family – Irving.
The Parish. Since each site has a campus masterplan not all of the vacant land is available. Study results should be available by late summer 2025. The only decision made so far by each site is to participate in the pilot study and gather the research.
The Diocese of Dallas. The only expense the Parish may see would be to complete a land survey if there is not a current one on file. Otherwise, all expenses related to this study period is being funded by the Diocese of Dallas.
The three key parameters being communicated to developers are
- No Land for Sale: The focus is on exploring opportunities for ground leases only; no land will be sold. If the Parish decides to further explore, it will only involve a ground lease so the Parish retains ownership of the land.
- Catholic Uses: While we encourage innovative ideas, there are certain uses that are not permitted. We have provided a list of specific activities and types of tenants that will not be allowed to ensure alignment with our values and mission.
- Parish Decision-Making: The parish retains full authority over all decisions regarding the next steps coming out of the study.
At this stage of the study, we want to encourage developers to bring their creative ideas within the three established key parameters outlined above. We’ve noted potential synergies with senior housing; such a development could not only benefit from marketing opportunities to seniors residing on church property but could also provide the Parish with valuable volunteer support from these seniors. As always, we are open to any ideas that align with our mission and are family-friendly.
- Awareness: Given that this initiative is at the forefront of current trends among churches, we want to make sure all parishioners know about this exploration.
- Study Period: JLL will begin releasing information to developers in late February and the pilot research completed by the end of the year.
- Late Summer 2025: Each site should begin to see results for their individual sites and determine if there are any additional steps to go explore.
Please submit your questions to [email protected] or message us below.