A Capital Congregation: Proximity, Community, and Ministry for American Statehouse Neighborhoods

On Wednesday, March 29, the Boisi Center hosted Reverend Richard Burnett, the retired rector (1997-2021) of Trinity Episcopal Church, for an engaging lunch discussion. Trinity Episcopal Church is located on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio. Drawing from his experience at this “Capitol congregation,” Burnett led an interesting conversation about the relationship between the Church and State in faith communities in proximity to government centers. While Burnett’s experience was in Columbus, he began the conversation by exploring the capital congregations of those in attendance.

The event began with an examination of the proximity between state houses and churches; the majority of capitals have churches and active congregations within a few blocks of their state houses. In Columbus, Burnett described how politicians were active worshipers in his congregation. Similarly, the Massachusetts State House sits just across Boston Common from the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul. Burnett showed a fascinating video, recorded by St. Paul’s Cathedral Dean, Reverend Amy McCreath. McCreath discussed how one of the core missions of the Archdiocese is to promote justice, and McCreath explained how its location enables community programming to promote this value among those in need of justice as well as those who are charged with protecting justice, such as state legislators. 

After listening to McCreath’s insightful presentation, Burnett encouraged us to reflect on the location and local influence of our own churches. Hence, the luncheon concluded with all of its attendees conversing about their own religious communities and those communities’ political involvement. In that conversation, one attendee raised the concern that congregations like these have a difficult time managing what he perceives to be two desired roles: the prophetic role (i.e., calling for societal reform toward just ends) versus the participatory role (i.e., wanting to be at the table with key decision-makers). These two roles, the attendee acknowledged, are often at odds with one another, making either the prophetic or participatory role less effective.  

Burnett concluded that these congregations have choices as to how they will respond to their role as “capital congregations.” The first is illegitimate: keep the doors closed and pretend the Capitol is not there. But there are three legitimate responses too. First, the congregation can have its doors open and welcome people. Second, it can be a place of gathering and celebration, such as holding a liturgy for each new legislature. And third, it can be a place of protest, advocacy, and dissent. He believes that the more they do the third option, the less the congregation is able to do the second. However, the more they do the third option, the more easily they are able to open their doors to the community. It was a fascinating comparison among experiences of students and professors of different faiths and geographic backgrounds to further our collective understanding of the diversity of religious experiences in America.