Sacred Places Summer 2014 | Page 18

PROFESSIONAL ALLIANCE SPOTLIGHT Bailey Edward Architecture Several years ago, architecture firm Bailey Edward was invited by Partners for Sacred Places to attend a meeting of representatives who were presenting a study of sacred places in Chicago. Since a significant portion of Bailey Edward’s work is with faith-based organizations, Robin Whitehurst, the Technical Principal of Bailey Edward and the Principalin-charge for faith-based work, began a conversation with the presenters that eventually led to a jointly hosted day-long seminar entitled “Building New Economy in Faith Environments” for faith-based organizations in Chicagoland. The seminar introduced the idea of the economic “Halo Effect” of houses of worship, which has the potential to be an engine of growth for congregations and the communities that they serve. The relationship continued when Partners asked Whitehurst to become a member of its board. “There’s a lot of demand for the services that Partners provides for congregations,” said Whitehurst. “As a board member, I believe my experience as a practicing historic Bailey Edward Architecture 35 East Wacker Drive Suite 2800 Chicago, IL 60601 312.440.2300 www.baileyedward.com preservation architect and designer of religious facilities will prove to be a resource to the board and staff of Partners for