At their May 15–16, 2025, meeting, Concordia Seminary’s Board of Regents devoted substantial time to a discussion of the westernmost 28 acres of the Clayton, Mo., campus. With the understanding that the framework for an agreement with Washington University still exists, the Board resolved to pursue opportunities that are more closely aligned with the existing underlying zoning and that can be acted upon within a reasonable period of time. To that end, the Board authorized the Seminary to partner with Real Estate Solutions, a division of Lutheran Church Extension Fund, to develop the westernmost acres of the Seminary property into a subdivision of single-family homes.

This decision was not made lightly, and it was made with the understanding that final approval of the plan rests with the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, which had previously approved the proposed land transaction with Washington University that included athletic facilities available for Seminary use. Given the determination to withdraw the pursuit of approval for zoning to accomplish these plans by Washington University, this action has been taken to accomplish a primary goal of the Seminary’s Master Plan, which is to leverage this acreage, investing the proceeds and having the income available to support Seminary operations in perpetuity. 

This plan is in its initial stages and like any plan, is subject to adjustments and changes. The Board welcomes a productive conversation with City of Clayton officials as well as Seminary neighbors and partners. Such discussions would center on actions that provide both for increased value to the Seminary from this project and the desired outcomes as have been discussed in previous numerous public forums. Finally, as the School District of Clayton continues to pursue its Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, the Seminary will welcome an open conversation regarding the appropriateness and mutual benefits of use of a portion of this acreage by the school district.

The Board has directed that Real Estate Solutions, along with Seminary administrative leaders, take immediate actions to move this process forward and bring a final proposal for approval at the Regents’ August meeting. 

For more information, please visit the Seminary’s “Building for Community” webpage.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.

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