Concordia Seminary has announced its intention to sell the 8.2-acre former Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) campus which is adjacent to Concordia’s 72-acre historic campus. The Seminary has engaged George Convy in the Clayton, Mo. office of CB Richard Ellis, Inc., to facilitate the sale.

Over the past year, the Seminary’s Board of Regents, president, vice presidents, and deans, have engaged in ongoing study and discussion concerning the most effective ways the Seminary can fulfill its mission and respond to future opportunities. “All of our discussions have focused on how the Seminary can serve church and world most effectively,” commented Concordia’s President, Dr. Dale A. Meyer. “After careful study, it became clear that the historic campus offers the most efficient and cost-effective possibilities for the Seminary’s future.”

Michael Louis, the Seminary’s vice president for financial planning and administration, added that the decision was primarily one of fiscal stewardship. “We want to operate Concordia Seminary as efficiently as possible, not only to exercise the best possible stewardship of the gifts entrusted to our use, but also to be able to respond to future needs as they arise.”

The Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation, purchased the campus for Concordia in 2001 and offered it to the Seminary for exclusive use. Concordia purchased the campus from Schwan in 2004.

Meyer observed that the CBC purchase was a good strategic decision that began a beneficial internal process of thought and discussion related to the future role the Seminary could play in the church. “The purchase served as a catalyst for Concordia Seminary to consider new and exciting opportunities to provide theological leadership in church and world. These considerations likely would not have occurred without the CBC purchase.”

Meyer also praised the decision to purchase CBC from an economic standpoint and for the control it brought to the Seminary regarding the property adjacent to its campus. “Property in Clayton, one of the most desirable suburbs in the St. Louis region, which also features Clayton Road frontage, is never a bad investment. The purchase also allows us to control who will be our neighbor for many years to come. That may be one of the most often overlooked benefits of the CBC purchase.”

Gratitude was expressed by Meyer as he considered the benefits the Seminary has received from the purchase. “We are grateful for the leadership and generosity the Schwan Foundation exercised on our behalf five years ago. We are also thankful for the courage and direction the Seminary’s leadership provided in making the purchase.”

In related action, Meyer is overseeing the completion of strategic planning and campus master planning efforts that will focus the Seminary’s time, energy and resources on the full utilization of its historic 72-acre campus. He has appointed Dr. Andrew H. Bartelt, the Seminary’s executive vice president, to lead this effort. “We are not ready to comment on the specifics of these plans,” stated Bartelt. “It is safe to say that these efforts will likely include new construction, as well as the renovation, expansion, and improvement of existing facilities on the historic campus.”

For more information, contact Seminary Relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, Mo. 63105; (314) 505-7370; SemRelations@csl.edu.