Conferences & Events
Fall 2023 Church Properties Conference
Registration is now open for the Fall 2023 Church Properties Conference! This second annual event aims to explore the different aspects of Church Property through expert panels, workshops, paper presentations, lightning talks, and case studies. Join Church leaders, industry experts, and world-class academics at Notre Dame's campus from the afternoon of Sunday, October 29th, through midday on Tuesday, October 31st.
See the full schedule here
Who: Church leaders, scholars, industry operators, or anyone interested in the topic of church property, broadly defined. While there is an emphasis on Catholic property as we are a Catholic university, all faiths are welcome and different denominations will share their experiences.
Confirmed speakers include:
When: Registration opens at 3:30pm ET Sunday October 29th- 12pm ET Tuesday October 31st
Where: McKenna Hall Conference Center at The University of Notre Dame
Lodging: There is a room block available at the Morris Inn, Notre Dame’s on campus hotel that is directly across from the conference center. Additional options walkable to the university include Ivy Court, Fairfield Inn and Suites on Eddy St, Embassy Suites on Eddy St, or Airbnbs near the south side of campus.
Dining: To foster networking and respect the need for some people to step out for work or other matters, we will have a mix of meals provided by the conference and meals on your own. Use this tool to see all of our on campus dining options.
Dress Code: Business casual
Transportation: South Bend International Airport has flights that connect out of many major cities. The airport is about 10-15 min to campus. Additional flight options include flying into Chicago and driving straight east (~90 min) to South Bend. Note that I-80/90 is a toll road.
If you drive to the conference, there are guest parking lots available near the conference center on the south side of campus at the Walsh Visitor Lot. More information can be found here.
Register Here
To the Heights Award - Submissions for 2023 are closed as the committee evaluates this year's applicants.
We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the To the Heights Award by MDKeller, a holding company founded by Austin Wright and two-time Super Bowl Champion Harrison Butker.
This $10,000 award will be given to individuals, groups, or institutions that have demonstrated exceptional creativity, vision, and resourcefulness to repurpose Church properties to serve the greater good. Additional funding may be allocated to finalists as funds beocme available.
Over 130 people submitted ideas, in-progress operations, or completed projects. By showcasing exemplary models of sustainable, inclusive, and impactful initiatives, the University of Notre Dame’s Church Properties Initiative and MDKeller aim to inspire others and create a ripple effect of positive change in communities near and far.
Submissions for the To the Heights Award by MDKeller is closed. Judges are considering a wide range of projects, initiatives, and endeavors that meet the following criteria:
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Bold Vision
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Distinctively Catholic
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Innovative use of Church property
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Fulfills the highest and best use of the property
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Has an eye towards scale and sustainability
The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and will be acknowledged for their exceptional vision during the Church Properties Initiative’s Fall Conference October 29-31, 2023.
If you are interested in corporate booths or sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to David Murphy.
Thanks to our 2023 Conference Sponsors:
Video recordings from our Fall 2022 conference, The Future of Church Property, are now available to view and share.
View recordings of individual sessions via embedded links in this online schedule or this downloadable PDF.
Past Events
Recordings from "Real Estate and the New Evangelization," our inaugural conference in Rome in Spring 2022, are available here.
See below for links to other Church Property events in spring and fall 2022:
FEB 15 Church Properties Fellows Spring Kickoff
FEB 19 Theology of Place: The Basilica Explored
MAR 3 Theology of Place: A Nun's Perspective
MAR 26 Theology of Place: The Basilica Explored
MAR 29 Building the New Jerusalem: The Role of the Urban Church
APR 9 St Casimir Parish Service Day
APR 28 Church Property & The New Evangelization (Conference)