University Episcopalian ministry shuts down and abandons Barth House
Following a two-year battle to remain open, Barth house finally closes.
By: Sarah Bleau
Issue date: 1/27/09 Section: News
Every year for the last three years, Rachel Robinson has attended a convention to petition for the continuation of the Episcopalian campus ministry.
But this time, she's lost the will to fight.
Barth House will shut down Feb. 1 because of budget constraints, bringing Episcopalian campus ministry to an end at The University of Memphis.
Robinson, an intern in charge of the Episcopalian diocese at Barth House, said she feels it is not just a lack of funding contributing to the closing of Barth House but also a lack of support.
"I'm worn out," she said. "It sounds bad, but I'm just worn out. I have no support staff."
Barth House, originally constructed for the student Episcopal center in 1967, was set to shut down in June 2007, but was able to remain open after various donations. The same happened when the building was threatened with closing in September 2007.
Robinson said she doesn't expect Barth House to be rescued again.
"I truly feel like this is it," she said.
Two days before the spring semester began, Robinson was told the Episcopalian campus ministry would no longer receive funding - money the 40-year-old outreach center depends on to operate.
In 2007, St. John's Episcopal Church in Memphis took over the financial responsibilities of Barth House when Father Terry Street became the campus chaplin.
A year later, Street began his own parish in Cordova, leaving the Episcopalian ministry at Barth House. No one stepped up to fill the empty space Street left.
And as he left, so did the funding from St. John's. It was up to the Episcopalian Diocese of West Memphis to help.
During the year the diocese was to financially support Barth House, Robinson said payments for programs were late. Program money pay fordinners Barth House provides to students twice a week. She also said her paychecks were shorted twice in a row.
"It was a very eye-opening experience," Robinson said.
Robinson and Barth House president Lloyd Smith worked last semester to bring Barth House back to life. After all of his work, the day the Episcopalian diocese announced the closing of Barth House was a "sad day," Smith said.
But this time, she's lost the will to fight.
Barth House will shut down Feb. 1 because of budget constraints, bringing Episcopalian campus ministry to an end at The University of Memphis.
Robinson, an intern in charge of the Episcopalian diocese at Barth House, said she feels it is not just a lack of funding contributing to the closing of Barth House but also a lack of support.
"I'm worn out," she said. "It sounds bad, but I'm just worn out. I have no support staff."
Barth House, originally constructed for the student Episcopal center in 1967, was set to shut down in June 2007, but was able to remain open after various donations. The same happened when the building was threatened with closing in September 2007.
Robinson said she doesn't expect Barth House to be rescued again.
"I truly feel like this is it," she said.
Two days before the spring semester began, Robinson was told the Episcopalian campus ministry would no longer receive funding - money the 40-year-old outreach center depends on to operate.
In 2007, St. John's Episcopal Church in Memphis took over the financial responsibilities of Barth House when Father Terry Street became the campus chaplin.
A year later, Street began his own parish in Cordova, leaving the Episcopalian ministry at Barth House. No one stepped up to fill the empty space Street left.
And as he left, so did the funding from St. John's. It was up to the Episcopalian Diocese of West Memphis to help.
During the year the diocese was to financially support Barth House, Robinson said payments for programs were late. Program money pay fordinners Barth House provides to students twice a week. She also said her paychecks were shorted twice in a row.
"It was a very eye-opening experience," Robinson said.
Robinson and Barth House president Lloyd Smith worked last semester to bring Barth House back to life. After all of his work, the day the Episcopalian diocese announced the closing of Barth House was a "sad day," Smith said.