Property Management

1956 (1977)- 1986

9 boxes, 4.5 linear feet

For Property Management prior to 1971 see Finance/Property Management

Historical Note:

The care and upkeep of the Church’s properties has been a part of church administration since Trinity’s foundation; however, the property management function has only been split from other administrative functions since the parish re-organization of the early 1970s. Trinity Church has historically divided the duties of Property Management between its commercial properties (a source of income since the original grant of the Church Farm) and its church and program properties (those used for worship and ministry). In the 1970s, a separate Commercial Property Management department was formed and placed in the Real Estate division, where it has since remained. Church and Program Property, formed at the same time, has been periodically shifted back and forth from Finance to Real Estate. (For further information, see the Finance and Real Estate Record Groups.)

Church and Program Properties have seen significant changes since the early 1970s. In 1976, many of the chapels in the parish became independent and shortly thereafter projects were undertaken in the parish’s remaining places of worship. Between 1977 and 1982, the interior of Trinity Church was relighted, cleaned, and repainted. The sound system was upgraded and the chancel was modified. Restoration was also done on St. Paul’s Chapel including a re-enforcement of the steeple.

In addition, program spaces were significantly modified and expanded. In 1976, 68 Trinity Place was re-acquired and major renovations were made to both 68 and 74 Trinity Place, including a television studio, a Christian education space, Day Care space, a lounge, and a cafeteria. In the same year, the pedestrian bridge connecting the Church to 74 Trinity Place was begun. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the mausoleum was built at Trinity Church Cemetery to provide more burial space and sales income, and Trinity built and opened St. Margaret’s House for the elderly.

Since the 1970s, there have been equally significant changes in Trinity's commercial properties. In the early 1980s, the decision was made to diversify the properties, populated up to that time by the printing trade, and buildings were converted from light industry to office use. Real Estate dubbed the neighborhood Hudson Square, reviving the name the Church had given its development of the St. John’s Chapel neighborhood in the early 1800s.

Scope and Content Note:

The records primarily contain the files of Hank Norde, Property Manager for Church Properties. Norde, whose files date from 1976 to 1986, oversaw plans for the Trinity Cemetery mausoleum, the Rambusch renovation of Trinity church between 1977 and 1982, the beginnings of the pedestrian bridge to join the Church to the Parish and staff offices, the retaining wall for the Church yard, the independence of the chapels and the construction of St. Margaret’s House.