St. Matthew’s Cathedral and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas are working on a project to develop the land surrounding the Cathedral at the corner of Ross and Henderson Avenues to enhance the missional outreach of the Cathedral for generations to come.

The committee, coordinated by the Very Rev. Neal Michell, former Dean of St. Matthew’s Cathedral, consists of 15 members, representing the Cathedral (6 members), diocesan Corporation, Standing Committee, Executive Council, a banker, construction executive, attorney, marketing person for a major retail chain, businessman, commercial real estate developer, as well as a noted architect, project manager, leasing agent, all of whose names you will find in the business section of The Dallas Morning News.

The vision for the project is to develop the Cathedral along the pattern of the cathedrals in Europe and Latin America, with a plaza out front for community gatherings and surrounding living quarters, restaurants, and small shops and businesses that will attract the younger adults that are moving into the area. This project, by design, will bring new evangelistic opportunities to engage the young adults in the area.

We are currently in the process of interviewing individual developers who will share our vision of quality, walkability, enhanced visibility, and, especially our concern for the mission of the Cathedral. The Rev. Rob Price, Dean-elect of the Cathedral, is excited at the opportunities for the Cathedral that this project affords.

Dean Michell says, “We are seeing a lot of enthusiasm for our project in the commercial real estate development community.” They like the focus on having a high quality development, building community with the Cathedral congregation, and encouraging foot traffic from the surrounding apartments and condominiums.