Boasting 10 bedrooms, five and half baths and a Georgian Revival entrance portico, the 1913 Tudor-style home in Hartford's West End has been the Episcopal Diocese's headquarters for more than half a century.  But now the house is up for sale.

The Diocese put the 25-room house at 1335 Asylum Ave up in for sale in November after years of several failed attempts to renovate and modernize the historic home built by Erick Rossiter fell through, said Karin Hamilton, the Diocese's Canon for Communication & Media.  

Hamilton said the Diocese could not agree with city officials and the local homeowners association on much needed renovations to make the home handicap accessible and add parking space on the property. She said the home also needs major fire and safety upgrades.

"We went back and forth for years with architects, the city and the (West End Civic Association), and then we said 'Put it on the market,'"Hamilton said.

The listing price for the  home is $749,900 and is being offered by William Raveis Real Estate.

The stately home sits on an acre and half and could be converted to a single family home or into condominiums, according to the listing. It features a slate roof, stepped gables, hardwood floors and molding throughout. {image 1}

For some 60 years, the Diocese has used the home for its offices. The home also features a chapel, All Saints Chapel, on the first floor which is used for reading the Bible and where bishops and priests celebrate and preach at a service of Holy Eucharist, according to its website.

Hamilton said a committee was formed to shepherd the sale of the house and to find a new modern building for its headquarters, one more centrally located in the state with access to highways and good parking.