Future Plans
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Relocation and Affiliation Project of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
What is the current status of the relocation and sale of the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary building in Wynnewood?
Nearly eight years ago Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary began a process to study the possible sale of a portion of its present campus. After studying the costs to renovate a portion of the campus buildings, in 2016, the Seminary Board of Trustees recommended and Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Seminary Board Chair, accepted a recommendation to sell the entire seminary property and explore options to partner with a local Catholic college. The Seminary has been engaged in a process to identify a new location for our programs. To date, priority has been given to an ongoing dialogue with several Catholic institutions of higher education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as potential sites for the construction of a new Seminary, and as potential partners for an affiliation with the Seminary.
Is there an agreement of sale?
Main Line Health was selected as the successful bidder for the seminary property. Main Line Health and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary recently closed on a transaction for the sale of the Seminary’s Wynnewood property.
How will the move/affiliation change the program?
Saint Charles Seminary has a well-respected and solid program of formation for priests and deacons. This will not change and will be the foundation for our affiliation with a new partner.
The program is strong; evidenced by a continuing trend of increased enrollment, continued substantial contributions to the annual Seminary appeal, and ongoing additions to an already well-respected faculty.
Moving to new facilities will significantly strengthen and enhance our Seminary, enriching and better serving the contemporary academic, spiritual and human needs of our seminarians.
There is a long history of commitment to Catholic higher education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Seminary is looking forward to the opportunities that an affiliation of this nature would present for both the seminary and the partnering institution.
Why relocate the Seminary and not just renovate the existing campus?
The decision to relocate to a new campus instead of renovating the current Seminary buildings was not an easy or unsentimental one. Various alternative models of operation were developed and considered by independent third-party consultants. The conclusion was that the consolidation model was not viable and that the most sustainable model is relocation and affiliation. Coupled with this, studies with respect to a capital campaign projected greater success in support of relocation rather than renovation of the existing campus.
What is the approximate timeframe for the relocation?
The Seminary will continue to operate on the property for up to four years.
During this time Main Line Health and Saint Charles Seminary will continue to work with the township and other community partners to assess the optimal future of the property, while considering both the historical significance of the buildings as well as the needs of our growing and vibrant community.
The Seminary community has benefitted greatly from its benefactors over the years, as we embark on this important journey we need your continued support of our ongoing operations more than ever.
Additional questions should be directed to: scsappeal@thecfgp.org