Location of the 1973 General Convention Discussed
Diocesan Press Service. May 20, 1971 [93-8]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Rev. John Coburn, vice chairman of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council, told the group during its May 18-20 meeting here that questions were being raised about the site of the 1973 General Convention. Jacksonville, Florida had been designated as the site.
Dr. Coburn reported that at a meeting of the Agenda and Arrangements Committee of the Convention, held in the Florida city, it became apparent that the House of Bishops, the House of Deputies and Triennial Meeting of the Women of the Church could not be held in adjacent facilities if we were to continue the new conference-type convention.
The Rt. Rev. Hamilton West, Bishop of Florida, has written to the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, Presiding Bishop, re-issuing the invitation for the national gathering to be held in Jacksonville. He has indicated, however, that he will understand if the committee decides on another location.
In a memo to Bishop Hines, Bruce Merrifield of Buffalo, N.Y., chairman of the Agenda and Arrangements Committee, expressed reservations about the type of convention that could be held in the Jacksonville facilities. He has asked that his committee "be authorized to explore alternate sites and possible alternate dates" for the 1973 Convention.
Bishop Hines said that any decision made on this matter should be made by the Executive Council. The Council asked the Convention's Agenda and Arrangements Committee to explore the matter further and to make another report at the next Executive Council meeting. It was suggested that an alternative site might well be a college campus location.