Reverend Wright's Million Dollar Retirement Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Mar 31st 2008 at 4:02PM

Controversial pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright is getting a luxurious retirement home. The Tinley Park Southtown Star reports that Barack Obama's former pastor will have a four-bedroom home in Tinley Park, Illinois, a southern Chicago suburb. Wright's home, which is being paid for by his church, the Trinity United Church of Christ, will include an elevator, butler's pantry, exercise room, a master bedroom with a whirlpool and a spare room for a future theater or swimming pool. The mansion is estimated to cost $1 million.

Wright was recently in the news for his controversial polemics against U.S. foreign policy and Obama's Democratic rival, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. He has retired from preaching and it is the policy of the church to provide housing for retiring clergy although I'd guess that usually the lodging isn't quite so lavish.

Tags: barack obama, reverend wright, ReverendWright, tinley park, trinity united church of christ, TrinityUnitedChurchOfChrist

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

sarah gilbert Mar 31st 2008 5:03PM

This makes me so very uncomfortable. interesting too that this morning's NPR had a long piece on pastors at 'prosperity theology' churches, with their bentley's and private jets.

DenverScott Mar 31st 2008 5:22PM

Swaggert & Baker were ahead of their times.

It once again proves how very lucrative it is to trash this country. Nowhere else on earth can you get this rich telling everyone how horrible they are. The good Reverend has sure adjusted to the life of "evil, capitalist whitey" quite nicely.

Chas Mar 31st 2008 6:32PM

Some people need to find better things to talk about. When we embrace our own faith and learn about it (ie buy the same books the Pastor has research his sermons) what they say is what they say. I disagree with my pastor but I wouldn't get hot because he bought a big house!

Chas Mar 31st 2008 6:35PM

When I said "What they say..." I mean when you learn something you're no longer vulnerable. You know the truth and no one, not even pastor and tell you different. That's our problem we look to people to be more than they are. Yeah he's got a million dollar house but so what? You think he's doing it with the offerings? If so that's his soul and life on 20/20! LOL!

audrey hobbs Mar 31st 2008 7:34PM

I'd like to run his ass out of the country. He does not deserve to live here in such opulence being that he made a living preaching hatred and divisiveness.He says God damn america and I say Godamn him, the hypocritical A hole.

Dan Isaacs Apr 4th 2008 7:19PM

He was also a decorated Marine who, unlike draft dodgers Clinton/Bush/Cheney, believed patriotism was something demonstrated through actions, not words. And if all you've seen of him is a few 30 second Youtube clips, then I don't think you are qualified to comment on the 28+ years that preceded those clips.

FMJ Apr 2nd 2008 3:09PM

Wright's speech was inspired by Ambassador Edward Peck, who was chief of the U.S. mission to Iraq under President Carter. Peck is white by the way. Not sure how this affects your perception of the speech.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/21/meet-the-white-man-who-_n_92793.html

Pat Apr 1st 2008 11:42AM

One million $$ doesn't buy a mansion in suburban Chicago, just a nice house. Do you expect him to live in a trailer park?

Trey Apr 1st 2008 5:42PM

Being that Rev. Wright is my pastor I felt inclined to comment. When you give 30+ years of your life to a profession what's wrong with being given a gift. Preachers don't live lifestyles of grandness when compared to corporate head honchos. If we as the church chose to show our thanks by buying him a house, so be it!

Trey Apr 1st 2008 5:44PM

Actually it does, it all depends on what burb you buy in.

Julie L. Apr 1st 2008 10:31PM

So, big deal! A million dollars does not buy you much these days.
I would hardly call a 4 bedroom house a mansion. Let's not scrutinize every little thing about the man.

JWeglarzNC Apr 3rd 2008 9:22AM

I'm glad I moved out of Tinley Park..............

azdallas Apr 3rd 2008 12:52PM

It is amazing that this guy has been part of a group that is critical of people like Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, and TD Jakes for living the high life at the cost of the congregants. I don't see the difference. I am sure everybody at Trinity United Church of Christ isn't living in a $1 million home with an elevator. I imagine you have many living in poverty. Like he has stated about megapreachers. "Couldn't the money be used elsewhere to feed the poor.

But of course. This is a convenience.

Matt Apr 3rd 2008 5:18PM

I wonder what Jesus would have told His disciples if they tried to present him with a $1.6 M retirement home? I'd bet He'd rebuke them harshly for being of the world. He'd probably then sell the home and buy a more modest one, giving the difference to help those in need. How sad that His disciples today want treasures in this world instead of the world to come.

carrollredd1 Apr 4th 2008 5:21PM

WRIGHT IS NO DIFFERENT, THE OTHER PASTORS DO THE SAME THING, ONLY THEY KEEP IT IN THE NEIBORHOOD. I HAVE A VERY GOOD FRIEND WHO WAS THE PASTOR IN HIS CHURCH FOR OVER 30 YRS. HE GETS 600.00 A MONTH, BUT HE ALSO WRITES BOOKS AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD READING. HE IS NOW 90 YRS. OLD