Philippe De Kergorlay (EDHEC 1977): combining faith and entrepreneurship

Philippe De Kergorlay (EDHEC 1976-77 – “I had to repeat”, he tells us) – is a priest in Chelles, east of Paris. He plans to build a church with a capacity for 800 worshippers, to be named “Sainte Bathilde”, intended to mark the heart of the town.

EDHEC Alumni: TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT

Philippe De Kergorlay: Our three churches have become too small for the churchgoers in Chelles, and the most recent ones have aged badly because they were built “economically” 30 years ago.

Chelles is a town with 54,000 inhabitants that stretches over 15 disparate neighbourhoods. The authorities want to create a “heart” that will give the town as a whole an identity. And we are right in the middle of it, which creates some convergence between the town and the Church.

We are located opposite the three existing stations: the bus station and the SNCF and RER railway stations, with a fourth currently being built, the Super-Metro 16 serving greater Paris. Strategically, it’s the ideal location to cater for a population that will probably reach 70,000 in the next 5 or 10 years.

So our bishop decided to take on a big project, and I am the priest responsible, working under his supervision.

The “Ste Bathilde” project is to build a church with a capacity of 800 and a traditional bell tower 28 m high, with a highly original interior as well as a Presbytery to house the priests, seminarians and students and a three-storey building containing lecture halls and rooms for meetings and catechism teachings and a chaplaincy. Finally, there will be property for lease that will not only ensure a financial balance but should also in time generate useful resources for other goals (there are 4 other major church projects in this department!). This project has a budget of more than €8 million. We are talking about high-quality construction for future generations. No more ephemeral building projects!

But this project must also reflect the current life of the parish: 4 to 6 masses every Sunday, 250 children in catechism, 70 youths working with the chaplaincy, 100 scouts, 160 baptisms and 160 burials. Then there is the charitable work for the poor (1200 assisted annually), many church fetes, meetings, processions, parish missions and pilgrimages, not to mention our work with the Catholic schools. So the dynamics of the present must feed into our plans for the future.

EA: WHAT DRIVES YOU IN THIS ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURE? 

PDK: As a Catholic priest, I am first and foremost driven spiritually: living in accordance with the Gospel in Christ’s name with a population that is youthful, representing different cultures, languages and traditions. Everyone must find their place in a way that connects with others. The parish is a family.

Prayer and conviviality are therefore the driving forces behind our actions. We are a community of faith and not a business. There are around 120 volunteers and our organizational approach (essential!) is above all based on mutual trust rather than any kind of hierarchy.

We have embarked on an adventure that is at once spiritual and financial, one that demands enthusiasm, skills ... and perseverance!

It is not an individual endeavour: the whole community had to be mobilised, and that was not something we could take for granted!!!

Urban real estate is a complex area: agreements must be signed and countless adjustments must be made to satisfy the municipal and regional authorities, the prefecture, the architects, the developers and neighbouring landlords. You also have to find the money!

EA: HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT EDHEC OR WITH THE NETWORK OF GRADUATES HELPED YOU ACHIEVE THIS PROJECT?

PDK: It was at EDHEC that I discovered my vocation, and I will never forget the school or my classmates for that reason.

In terms of legal and financial knowledge, my education at EDHEC was crucial. A large parish requires a balance in the everyday running of things, with a budget and cash flow forecasts. There are competent laypersons who play an active role managing all that, but it is up to the priest to make the decisions under the authority of the bishop and the services of the diocese.

Parishes also have property to manage, whether as owners or as beneficiaries. I am responsible for several sectors around Chelles representing 160,000 inhabitants and 26 bell towers. Although that’s a lot of property, it is sometimes not enough to meet our needs. It all requires investment and maintenance. I learned how to read and compare estimates, and above all seek the advice of those in the know …

EA: WHAT IS YOUR INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THIS ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHERS FROM EDHEC INTERESTED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

PDK: Any business is first and foremost a matter of faith (in every sense of the word!).

You learn to trust others (without being naive).

Finally, you have to learn to go the distance without exhausting yourself, and that might be the hardest challenge. I see so many people close to burnout! For believers, contemplation and meditation can be invaluable resources.

EA: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR PROJECT? 

PDK: The building permit application was filed in September 2018, so we are reaching the end of a long administrative process.

We will finally be able to communicate about the project with tangible materials (models, simulations, etc.) and reliable economic data.

This will allow us to reach out to a wider audience, as well as businesses to raise money. At first the diocese will be providing the finance, but we will have to take over at some point!

It should be pointed out that this spiritual project also includes key aspects to do with culture and heritage: the religious past of Chelles has left us with an invaluable treasure trove of shrines and relics that date back to the Merovingians. There will be a space dedicated to these ancient wonders: the Ste Bathilde sanctuary, which will organise visits and pilgrimages.

The construction itself should last between 18 months and two years: we are hoping that the Bishop of Meaux, Mgr Nahmias, will come here to celebrate the Easter Mass.

EA: DO YOU EXPECT ANYTHING FROM THE COMMUNITY OF EDHEC GRADUATES?

PDK: Yes of course! First of all, the prayers of those who have faith, but also the benevolence of all graduates and students.

And of course I need funding! All donations will be gratefully received. I will add the names of all donors to a list that will be displayed inside the new church.

There is also a whole communication plan to develop beyond the parish itself. This is an area where I feel less at ease than financial management!

I need advice and volunteers to set up a “communication cell”, made up of people who believe in the project as more than simply a focus for marketing.

It will be important to have some visibility on social networks and online generally.

Online donations: http://www.catho77.fr/spip.php?article805

My mobile number: 06 63 01 77 26

My email address: philippe2k77@gmail.com

All EDHEC affiliates and their families are welcome any time in Chelles