H
Harry F. Dope
Guest
Is "Whitey" to blame for Rev. Wrights new 1.6 million dollar home Too?
Church builds $1 million mansion for Wright
TINLEY PARK | Welcome home, Rev. Wright
March 30, 2008
BY KRISTEN SCHORSCH SouthtownStar
Trinity United Church of Christ is building Barack Obama's controversial
former pastor a million-dollar Tinley Park home complete with an elevator,
whirlpool, butler's pantry, circular driveway and four-car garage, building
plans show.
The four-bedroom home being built for the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is in the
Odyssey Club neighborhood, which boasts some of Tinley Park's largest homes
and a mix of town homes. It backs up to the Odyssey Country Club and golf
course.
"I think it's where people kind of decide to get away from things," Tinley
Park Trustee Greg Hannon said.
The mansion under construction is estimated to cost $1 million, a building
permit shows. It will also feature a large family room with a fireplace and
bar, a rubberized exercise room and a spare room for a future theater or
swimming pool, building plans show.
Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th Street, Chicago, is listed as
the landowner on the permit.
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess, communications director for the United Church of
Christ national office, said local congregations decide how to spend their
own money. At Trinity, pastors spend cash based on the contributions to
their church, he said.
"It is customary and appropriate in many Christian denominations, including
the United Church of Christ, for local churches to offer housing provisions
for retiring clergy, especially in cases where pastors have served long-term
pastorates," Guess said in a statement.
"We support efforts by our 5,700 local churches to ensure that retiring
pastors and spouses have continuing housing, adequate pension and health
care, as an expression of our continuing appreciation for their years of
service. Each local UCC congregation is free to honor a retiring pastor in
ways it feels most appropriate to address the needs of that clergyperson's
circumstances."
Wright, who has retired from preaching, could not be reached for comment. A
business manager with the South Side church did not return a phone call
seeking comment.
Wright has made national news as video clips of his controversial remarks
surfaced, including one in which the pastor shouts "God damn America" for
its treatment of minorities. Obama has denounced Wright's controversial
statements.
Sun-Times News Group
--
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."
Church builds $1 million mansion for Wright
TINLEY PARK | Welcome home, Rev. Wright
March 30, 2008
BY KRISTEN SCHORSCH SouthtownStar
Trinity United Church of Christ is building Barack Obama's controversial
former pastor a million-dollar Tinley Park home complete with an elevator,
whirlpool, butler's pantry, circular driveway and four-car garage, building
plans show.
The four-bedroom home being built for the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is in the
Odyssey Club neighborhood, which boasts some of Tinley Park's largest homes
and a mix of town homes. It backs up to the Odyssey Country Club and golf
course.
"I think it's where people kind of decide to get away from things," Tinley
Park Trustee Greg Hannon said.
The mansion under construction is estimated to cost $1 million, a building
permit shows. It will also feature a large family room with a fireplace and
bar, a rubberized exercise room and a spare room for a future theater or
swimming pool, building plans show.
Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th Street, Chicago, is listed as
the landowner on the permit.
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess, communications director for the United Church of
Christ national office, said local congregations decide how to spend their
own money. At Trinity, pastors spend cash based on the contributions to
their church, he said.
"It is customary and appropriate in many Christian denominations, including
the United Church of Christ, for local churches to offer housing provisions
for retiring clergy, especially in cases where pastors have served long-term
pastorates," Guess said in a statement.
"We support efforts by our 5,700 local churches to ensure that retiring
pastors and spouses have continuing housing, adequate pension and health
care, as an expression of our continuing appreciation for their years of
service. Each local UCC congregation is free to honor a retiring pastor in
ways it feels most appropriate to address the needs of that clergyperson's
circumstances."
Wright, who has retired from preaching, could not be reached for comment. A
business manager with the South Side church did not return a phone call
seeking comment.
Wright has made national news as video clips of his controversial remarks
surfaced, including one in which the pastor shouts "God damn America" for
its treatment of minorities. Obama has denounced Wright's controversial
statements.
Sun-Times News Group
--
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."
