This post (December 2025) is part of our Good Futures Accelerator– inspired exploration of the possibility of building some kind of housing on our church grounds. 

When we say “St. Dunstan’s property” or “St. Dunstan’s grounds,” what do we mean? … 

St. Dunstan’s owns* about six acres of land, from Old Middleton Road to the south to University Avenue to the north, and from St. Dunstan Drive (which we do not own!) on the east to the Philben apartment building and Countryside Lane neighbors on the west. 

There are four buildings on the property. First, there’s the familiar church building itself (built in 1963, expanded in 1995). The Parish Center, the boxy building at the end of the parking lot, was St. Dunstan’s first building. The early congregation worshipped upstairs, with classrooms and kitchen downstairs. Today our youth group meets there, in addition to a couple of community movement classes. 

Finally, the 19th century brick farmhouse known as the “Rectory” is used as a rental residence. It was originally the home of the Heim brothers and their families, German immigrants who farmed this land in the late 1800s. The Rectory also has a shed/garage. 

In addition to the buildings, parking lot, and the more familiar parts of the grounds, the woods behind the Parish Center and Rectory also belong to St. Dunstan’s. They’re full of black walnut trees, which we tap in late winter to get sap to boil into black walnut syrup! 

So, where would we build housing (or anything else)? …

We really don’t know yet! We are still very early in our exploration. We have a lot to learn about possibilities and limitations. The important thing to know right now is that we definitely have space to share. 

* Ownership is a little complicated; the Diocese, our regional jurisdiction, has authority over our property. But we believe that if we come to them with a good plan, we’ll have their support.