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We are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
-Disciples Identity Statement
May 1, 2026
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
In the coming days, the real estate signs and online listings will make our decision visible to the wider community. Before that happens, I want you to hear directly from me.
Yes, the building and property are on the market.
No, we are not closing.
This decision was not made lightly. It comes after years of prayer, discernment, and honest assessment of our capacity to do ministry while maintaining a facility far larger than our current needs. We explored partnerships with nonprofits and community organizations, but the financial, structural, and code requirements made those possibilities unworkable for both sides. Some projects required significant upgrades; others demanded infrastructure we simply could not provide.
Like many congregations, we have not recovered — in attendance or in revenue — from the impact of the COVID pandemic. In many ways, the pandemic accelerated trends we were already experiencing. These realities have been shared regularly with trustees and attendees, along with updates on deferred maintenance and the extensive, costly code upgrades required for our elevator and other systems.
Through all of this, I have been deeply moved by the faith, hope, and love expressed in our conversations. We are an aging congregation, and continuing to pour our remaining resources into a building we cannot fully use would only delay an inevitable decision. God has not called us to maintain a facility; God has called us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. In many ways, we have simply outgrown the house we once needed.
From the beginning, our trustees expressed a desire that whatever we do should bless our neighbors and our neighborhood. The congregation has affirmed this vision. We believe God is calling us out from behind these walls into a new expression of life together — one less burdened by structural obligations and more able to serve others.
I know this brings up strong emotions. Some of you may feel anger. Others may feel shock or sadness as you imagine no longer sitting in the sanctuary, walking the education wing, or remembering the weddings, baptisms, and funerals held here. These feelings are real and expected. We have already lived through denial and bargaining as we tried to return to pre‑COVID patterns or sought alternative revenue and partnerships. Now we enter the stage of disorientation and grief as we acknowledge that our former way of being will not return. We will not all experience these stages in the same way or at the same pace, but we will walk through them together.
I grieve with you — but I grieve with hope.
At this moment, we have no offers. The property is listed nationally and locally. We are beginning to plan for the eventual vacating of the building and the sale of excess furnishings and equipment. In keeping with the desires of the trustees and congregation, we are actively seeking a new home within our historic area on the east end of Decatur.
I cherish your prayers, your support, and your trust in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We will continue to listen for God’s leading, confident that the One who has carried us this far will not abandon us now.
Grace and peace to you all.
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