Community Corner

Clergy To Consider Future of Bishop Seabury Church

Groton church was the subject of a Connecticut Supreme Court battle between the diocese and a congregation.

The Bishop of the Connecticut Episcopal Diocese said Tuesday he would meet with area clergy next week to discuss the future of the Bishop Seabury Church in Groton.

The building has functioned as a church since it as built more than 30 years ago, and was the subject of a lengthy court battle.

The congregation of 750 members, called Bishop Seabury Anglican Church, split with the Episcopal Church in 2007, then wound up in court over whether it could continue to use the building.

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The , and the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear the case in June.

Connecticut Diocese Bishop Ian T. Douglas said the plan now is to meet with local clergy to discuss how the building might best be used in the future. He said everything is on the table.

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“What I want to do is begin the conversation with those clergy of the region, to pray together and take counsel together, and begin to say, ‘What is it that God would have us do with this resource for God’s mission in Groton?’” he said.

Douglas said the first step would be to meet with area clergy, then reach out to others in the church community and finally discuss the issue with the executive council of the church.

Douglas said he has not heard from the leadership of the group that split from the church since the last service earlier this month.


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