National Cathedral’s Greenhouse Closing Shop
Last week, the National Cathedral announced it would be cutting 15 percent of its work force, or 33 jobs, as part of both a new strategic plan and the reality of an economic downturn. Margaret Bergan Davis, associate dean of the Cathedral, confirms the greenhouse employees are among the cuts and that the greenhouse itself will close June 29.
This has some in the neighborhood a little worked up. Sioban Farey writes the “Cathedral greenhouse and nursery is too valuable to our community to lose…we need to find ways that we could work with the Cathedral to keep it open for many reasons….”
The small greenhouse, in need of repair even to an indifferent observer and located on the south side of the Cathedral grounds, is more than a retail store, Farey contends. In a pitch to fellow members (some 6,400 of them) on the Cleveland Park listserv, Farey argues they can work with the cathedral’s staff to reverse the decision. “It is absoulutely congruent with the Cathedral’s mission to minister to all people of all faiths and none—what is more universal than plants/nature?”
Davis says that while she appreciates the appreciation of the surrounding neighborhoods, the decision will stand.
“I know the loss of the greenhouse is sad for many peoople,” she says. “I hope they understand that the greenhouse is from an era when the Cathedral needed that structure to grow its own plants and flowers. With the many different garden centers, the Home Depots in the area, etc., as beautiful and wonderful as the people are there, the idea of having plants for sale truly is not part of the foundational mission for the future,” she says.
Davis declined to say how many people who now work at the greenhouse will be laid off. She also said that the stragic plan cited as the primary reason for the changes was realeased 18 months ago, so some of these changes have been coming for some time.
15 Responses to “National Cathedral’s Greenhouse Closing Shop”
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May 21st, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Here’s a suggestion, Siobhan…..quit whatever job you have now and run the greenhouse yourself. Pay the salaries of the people there with the profits, or if there aren’t any, from your own pocket. If you’re not putting your money where your mouth is, STFU.
Sure, it’s nice to have a convenient plant store in the city, but isn’t a church supposed to be helping the downtrodden and those with problems? Plant therapy is all well and good, but I have to think that other ministries are more likely to pay bigger dividends.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
Dude, you’re a jackASS.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
Can we please know how much money would need to be raised to keep the Cathedral Greenhouses open — annually — and ongoing? I realize this could vary, depending on how many staff would be needed — so I am asking “at current levels” of staffing.
Is there anyplace where the current budget is available to the public — expenses, including staff, — and income (which may vary every year). If the public can rally to raise money, we need to know how much money needs to be raised to keep the greenhouse open, ongoing.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I dont live in the Cathedral neighborhood, but am quite familiar with the area. I find it amusing that the community is so concerned with losing a venue to buy plants (especially since there is another garden center a half mile or so up Wisconsin Ave), to the point where they want to raise funds to keep it open. If you have available time raise money to keep a plant retail store open (because that’s what it is) and the money with which to contribute to, I suggest using that time and money for a charity, or perhaps another program of the Cathedral’s that actually helps people in need.
I’m familiar with the Cathedral’s greenhouse, and I agree - its a great place. But, in the long run, I would much rather the Cathedral cut the greenhouse than something else, like its education programs for DC youth
May 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Not surprising this is happening as the Cathedral and the Diocese are short on cash. The Episcopal Church is in total decline, and they are spending millions now on lawsuits against orthodox churches that want to break free of it. So this greenhouse was an easy kill.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
William: FYI- The Cathedral is not funded in any way by the Episcopal Church or the Diocese of Washington, despite it being an Episcopal Cathedral. It is run by the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which runs the 3 schools (NCS, St. Albans, Beaovoir), which also is not funded in anyway by the Episcopal Church. This is all explained on their website.
Why can’t people just make the connection - the Greenhouse is a RETAIL store that is obviously bleeding money. As it is not an integral part of the service the Cathedral does, they cant afford to keep it open, as resources are tight. If it were bringing in revenue to support it, then this wouldnt happening. Its really pretty simple. Any business that does not make money, closes.
I think its hilarious that all the neighborhood folks want to raise money to keep it open…how about patronizing the greenhouse to begin with, so that they wouldn’t have to close it???
May 31st, 2008 at 5:58 am
The Cathedral’s doing the right thing–using its contributions to address big issues in society and reach millions not just a few hundred local gardners. Changing and even stopping some programs is good ministry as well as good management.
May 31st, 2008 at 8:52 am
Rather than shuttering the Greenhouse perhaps it should reduce costs, scope of merchandise, and operations. Grow plants year round but hold Christmas Plant sales including special orders , annuals and perrenials in seasons. There is an available free source of workers - students on The Close.
And their parents.
Sad to lose a bit of magic.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:20 am
Dude is really the associate dean of the cathedral. The Google search can tell you a lot about her, her concerns, her character. You really think shes a shit about floers or employees?
June 1st, 2008 at 5:24 am
Oh and by the way, Rusty, she’s cut out
those educational programs for local kids you were concerned about. No more flowers,
no more kids, It’s a corporate realignment.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:25 am
And Liz works for the Cathedral prsss office.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
As a teacher in a low-income school in D.C., I would like to clarify that the programs that affect schools receiving Title 1 funding have actually not been cut. This was a comment that was made on WashingtonPost.com by someone annoyed generally about the Cathedral budget cuts. The Cathedral is in a state of flux, similar to the DC School Systems. In order to remain outcomes oriented, the Cathedral needed to rework what was going to have the greatest positive impact on the greatest number of people. Communities are angry about neighborhood schools being closed or consolidated, but this does not mean that the right-sizing Michelle Rhee is doing is wrong. In fact it makes sure that more DC Schools receive higher quality of resources. This is a similar mindset the Cathedral is operating under. I realize this is not directly related to the greenhouse, but it is vital to take into consideration the entire picture. When the entire picture in not considered, people look ignorant. See the forest, not just this one tree.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Kiilmer, I’d like for you to consider a few things regarding your comment above (6/1/08). First, do you think that one of the nation’s greatest national landmarks would hire someone that would use “STFU” in a public posting? Really? If so, I think that your idea of how professionals act when running a national organization is a little skewed. Second, you are obviously angry, but that doesn’t yield a solution. I have taken my 5th graders from Congress Heights to the Cathedral for the free and fantastic programing. Again, it is not disappearing.
While the greenhouse is pretty, please think about the bigger picture. What would you do in a similar situation? Do you currently work for a non-profit? Have you done analysis on how to restructure for the benefit of the organization and larger community? From her bio, the Associate Dean has. To refresh your memory, she helped the following organizations succeed: Arena Stage, Kennedy School of Government—Center for Public Leadership, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, National Children’s Museum, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Episcopal Charities and Community Services, Federation of State Humanities Councils, and numerous other organizations.
Kiilmer, if you are truly speaking from a place of expertise, please post a professional and well thought out post that can elucidate your thoughts for a different course of action.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
My understanding is that the Cathedral Greenhouse is operating at a small profit - that it right - NOT losing money. Maybe not making a ton - but it is in the black so why is it being closed? One wonders what the REAL agenda is in this case? A land sale?
June 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I worked at the greenhouse many years ago. Given the entrenched management of the Cathedral, I doubt much has changed.
At the time I worked there, the greenhouse made a small profit, which was all donated to Cathedral programs at the end of each fiscal year. All salaries, improvements, materials, and plants were paid for out of gross sales. The Greenhouse also participated in outreach activities, which brought visibility to the Cathedral.
The Cathedral has several retail operations, of which the Greenhouse is one. At the time I was there, two were managed by the Cathedral’s so-called Marketing Director, who was basically allowed to run rampant as long as she made money for the Cathedral. I respect the ethics and mission of the Cathedral. I’ll only say that the person in charge of the retail operations did not conduct herself in a way that reflected those principles. It was all about money. Any life or art or “magic” within the glass walls was a result of the people working there, who were not well paid, putting their hearts and souls into their work.
Even then, the closure of the Greenhouse was a constant threat. Despite the pleas of Greenhouse workers, much needed repairs went undone, until glass started falling down from ceiling onto shoppers’ heads. By the way, our clientele was from all over the city, and certainly not limited to “matrons” as another poster claims.
Closure of the Greenhouse has been on the agenda of Cathedral management for at least twenty years. The clock has finally ticked down. This is more about traffic control than anything else. The Greenhouse is in an awkward place, and it’s in the way during large events and presents major issues for Beauvoir student pickup and dropoff. This is not about funneling funds to much-needed programs. It is all about land.