WASHINGTON (RNS) Washington National Cathedral announced dramatic cuts to its budget, programs and staff on Wednesday (Nov. 19) as the faltering economy continues to hit religious institutions nationwide.
The landmark cathedral, which welcomes nearly 700,000 visitors a year and has hosted the state funerals of three presidents, will slash its budget by 40 percent next year, from $24 million to $14.4 million.
More than 40 staffers will be laid off, retail operations at the cathedral’s gift shop will be outsourced and the Cathedral College’s residential course offerings will cease as of March 31, 2009, according to the cathedral.
“Like many other institutions around the world,” said the Very Rev.
Samuel Lloyd III, the cathedral’s dean, “Washington National Cathedral has been affected by the serious downturn in the financial market.”
Last spring, the cathedral’s endowment was valued at $66 million, but has since declined by about 25 percent, according to Michael Hill, the cathedral’s executive director for external relations. In May, the cathedral cut $3.5 million from its budget by firing 33 employees and closing its greenhouse.
The cathedral, which celebrated its centenary this year, regularly hosts high-profile guests, concerts and events — such as the memorial service after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the 2006 installation of Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
However, the huge Gothic cathedral is not supported financially by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the national Episcopal Church or the federal government. The endowment, private donations and revenue from events fund its budget, Hill said.
“Serving as the nation’s church and as a place of prayer and spiritual renewal is a significant responsibility,” Lloyd said. “And we are committed to being conscientious stewards of this revered cathedral building.”
Daniel Burke
Beliefnet
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posted November 19, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I don’t understand why the endowments fell to aprox. 50 million in less than a year. Does anyone know? It’s our Nations Church, what a shame. Why can’t the Episcopal Churches have helped? What’s the real story?
posted November 19, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Why the crisis? How about looking at what has been on the venue:
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Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes from Turkey – Delight in an evening of mystical love poetry, sacred music, and prayerful whirling movement in this interfaith program, featuring whirling dervishes and musicians from Rumi’s own Turkish Mevlevi Sufi Order, headed by his direct descendent.
Deepak Chopra – Discover what this leading Eastern philosopher and prophet of alternative medicine finds when he turns his imagination and intuition to the life of Jesus.
Dance into the Body-Soul – Neva Ingalls – Yoga is an ancient, devotional dance. The yogis of the ages wished to heal the world and we too know this longing today. Come dive deep into your body-soul through yoga and dance.
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The Episcopal denomination is the fastest declining. The national church has a $2.5 million dollar deficit in large part due to the lawyers bills for suing the orthodox that are fleeing.
posted November 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm
The nation doesn’t need a church. We have too many already.
posted November 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Endowments lose money too when times are bad. I can understand how it went to the dumpster so fast. I’ve watched my money dump…and it’s no where as large.
posted November 20, 2008 at 12:18 am
Great Gobbly Wobbly! The name of the church is not actually “The National Cathedral” any more than “The Big Apple” is the name of New York City. It is actually the Episcopal Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. No – not any, none, zero – tax money goes to the support or maintenance of this church. It is a church big enough to handle many state events (apparently including the funeral for Mrs Laningham of “the West Wing” – site of Pres. Barlett’s excellent soliloquy with God).
It is a most astounding place. The windows alone are worth a lot of time – my favorite is the Moon rock window – stained glass of the solar system with a real moon rock in the window (take THAT Martin Luther! Bishop Copernicus got you on this one!) But the carvings of the gasrgoyles and grotesques are absolutely mind-boggling. Even Darth Vader shows up! Go see it if you are in Wahsington, but bring binoclulars – many of the good carvings are far from easy sight. Go up into the towers too – an awesome view of metro DC.
However, it is not a state supported, state run, or state anything. It is a Church that has simply been a place for nationally significant events to take place.
posted November 20, 2008 at 11:47 am
jestrfyl: This has nothing to do with the topic, but as I was reading your post, “Mrs. Laningham” is on The View! She and Lily Tomlin are together on Desparate Housewives (which I don’t watch). Did love West Wing….and Mrs. Laningham along with Charlie were a couple of my favorite charactors. Remember when they “killed” off Mrs. L and her funeral and put Liliy in as his assistant.
posted November 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for the info everyone. I should have asked my husband who has a degree in economics. We were on a bus tour and went by the Natl. Cathedral some yrs. back. We were there five days and still couldn’t see everything. The Natl. Cathedral was impressive from the street.
posted November 21, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Desperate Housewives is one of my guilty – and thoroughly silly – pleasures, though I don’t watch it much this year. I was amused indeed to see the two actresses conspiring together in one of the few episodes I did see. I did like the character Ms Tomlin played after the death of Mrs. L.
posted November 22, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Yes, Lily was good in the part of his assistant.(West Wing). I did miss Mrs. L however.