A path forward for 717
The OSUMC Leadership Team is seeking congregational input to guide financial and ministry decisions about the 717 Oconee Street property. Read below for a brief history of the building and its current use, a timeline that led to our current situation, and an outline of options for moving forward.
Then, take these two opportunities to voice your input:
1. Fill out the feedback form at the bottom of this page.
2. Stay after the service on Sunday, August 16, 2026 for a church-wide meeting to discuss the property.
A brief history of 717 Oconee Street
Built as the parsonage for OSUMC in the early 1900s, 717 Oconee St. was home to our pastors and their families until 1992. Reverend Ted Staton and his wife Nancy were the last to occupy the house.
Since then, the home has been used as a space for various church and community ministries, including serving as the office for Athens Urban Ministries/Our Daily Bread, a worship space for the Quakers, a meeting space for Alcoholics Anonymous and as a private counseling facility. In 2019, additional land was purchased adjacent to the house to construct a parking lot for the church. The address at 717 Oconee St. now includes the adjacent parking lot.
Recent and current ministry uses of the 717 property include weekly OSUMC Youth Group activities, Young Adult Bible Study and United Women in Faith meetings, along with external ministries such as La Clinica (Spanish-language counseling services), ESOL classes through Casa de Amistad, and recovery groups for gay men and the LGBTQ community.
Recent decision-making timeline
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In fall 2024, significant plumbing issues restricted the use of the building, leading the Leadership Team to close the building for repairs.
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In April 2025, a generous donation covered those repairs, allowing ministries to use the building again.
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In spring 2025, the condition of the building required OSUMC to change its insurance, resulting in a significant increase in costs. The Leadership Team created a Financial Health Committee that conducted an in-depth analysis of Oconee Street’s financial picture, with significant attention to the property's debt burden.
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In summer 2025, financial health information and discussion sessions were held, including two sessions for ministry leaders and an open town-hall meeting following worship in August 2025. That feedback was gathered by the Leadership Team.
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In fall 2025, the Leadership Team formed a subcommittee to research options for future use or removal of 717 Oconee Street, including the cost to stabilize or rehabilitate and potential funding and partnerships.
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In April 2026, the committee presented its findings to the Leadership Team. The options listed below consitute a summary of the committee's findings, but you are encouraged to read their full report!
Potential Paths for 717
Delay maintenance and close building
Activity: Close and seal house, cancel utilities.
Costs: None.
Pros: Temporarily reduces operating expenses (up to $7,000 annually)
Cons: Loss of facility for ministry use. Risk of further degradation by neglect. Must continue to pay insurance.
Stabilize with major repairs
Activity: Maintain original structure of facility, making necessary major repairs and upgrades to roof, electrical, plumbing, etc.
Costs: $75,000+. Potential grants from Historic Athens and Sacred Spaces.
Pros: Retain facility for ministry use. Insurance savings of roughly $4,000.
Cons: Requires OSUMC capital campaign. Grant administration if necessary.
Remove building for enhanced use
Activity: Demolish/move structure and replace with another mission-focused building, such as affordable housing.
Costs: Cost would vary greatly based on project. Significant grant opportunities available.
Pros: Re-imagined use of facility for ministry.
Cons: Requires OSUMC capital campaign. Need ACC planning commission approval. Grant administration if necessary. Potential negative publicity.
Remove building
Activity: Demolish the current structure or have the building moved.
Costs: Up to $125,000 for demolition and/or cleanup.
Pros: Eliminate 717 overhead and home insurance costs (roughly $12,000 annually)
Cons: Loss of facility for ministry use. Requires OSUMC capital campaign. Need ACC planning commission approval. Potential negative publicity.
Rehabilitate/ renovate for enhanced OSUMC use
Activity: Expand use of facility for new ministries.
Costs: Up to $334,000. Potential grants from Historic Athens, UMC Barnes Grant.
Pros: Expanded use of facility for ministry. Increased competitiveness for fundraising and community support requests.
Cons: Requires OSUMC capital campaign. Coordination challenges. Grant administration if necessary.
Transfer ownership or sell building*
Activity: Sell the property to a partner organization aligned with OSUMC's mission.
Costs: None.
Pros: Proceeds may be reinvested in ministry facilities, property, or other approved redevelopment. Eliminate 717 overhead and insurance costs (roughly $12,000 annually).
Cons: Loss of facility for ministry use. Need ACC planning commission approval. Requires UMC conference approval. Potential loss of parking. Potential negative publicity.
*This option was not part of the 717 Exploratory Report. Addendum by the Leadership Team.
Rehabilitate/ renovate for enhanced use with partnership
Activity: Find a suitable partner to share in rehabilitation cost and ministry.
Costs: Cost would vary based on partner. Grant opportunities dependent on partner.
Pros: Re-imagined use of facility for ministry. Shared cost in renovations. Partial offset in operating expenses.
Cons: Requires OSUMC capital campaign. Coordination challenges. Reduced church discretion over facility usage.
And don't forget to stay after the service on Sunday, August 16, 2026 for a church-wide discussion!
Special thanks to the 717 subcommittee:
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Chase Cook (chair)
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Hannah Cates
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Chad Clark
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Jocelyn Crumpton (secretary)
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Maxine Easom
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Carter Vest
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Ben Whetstone (Leadership Team liaison).