Church builds $1 million mansion for Wright
TINLEY PARK | Welcome home, Rev. Wright

March 30, 2008Recommend (6

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.

» Click to enlarge image

Construction continues on the $1 million Tinley Park home Rev. Jeremiah Wright will move into after having it purchased by Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
(Joseph P. Meier/STNG)

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"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.

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