Disused churches around the world given new life

10 churches around the world given amazing new life (BBC)

church conversions are a balancing act. "You don't want to lose all the sense of its history and original function. Nor should its previous use overtly impact its new function and people's relationship with it"... In England, around 20 Church of England churches are closed for worship each year. And in the US, around 4,500 Protestant churches closed in 2019, the most recent year data is available, though about 3,000 new churches opened... Intentionally awe-inspiring, these historic buildings are often imposing even when they're shuttered. Some of those that are closed get demolished. The lucky ones are transformed, often by local groups or private owners. How much of their religious flavour remains depends on the state they're in, the architect's approach, and the new operator's needs...

A balancing act indeed, and sometimes controversial. Any thoughts?

Some wonderful architecture there.

I’ve seen little country churches here in Appalachia (usually modest wood structures) converted into homes, restaurants, community spaces too.

I think any life affirming use is appropriate. Wine bar - of course!
Meth lab - no, and they’re a fire hazard.

Rooves? Is that how Britain pluralizes roof?

There's a former church here in Chicago that is now the Epiphany Center for the Arts: https://www.landmarks.org/preservation-programs/richard-h-driehaus-foundation-pr... There are quite a few that have been converted into single family homes or condominiums (usually with the adjective "luxury" attached, which I must say I find a bit ironic).

>4 brone: Bergoglio himself has said real live Catholics should not evangelize

I believe you are mischaracterising Pope Francis' position on evangelisation. Calling on Christians to respect and dialogue with other faiths is not a rejection of evangelisation. As a missionary I can assure you that evangelisation is still alive and well, and in fact since the time of Pope Paul VI the Catholic Church has emphasised what he called the "new evangelisation", recognising that the gospel needs to be heard not only by those who had never heard it but also by "post-Christians" in Europe and north America who had discarded it.

But I agree that it is sad to see disused churches turned into accommodation for the rich. While it does preserve the architecture, in many ways it is at odds with the buildings' Christian heritage and values, with Jesus' focus on the poor and marginalised. I much prefer to see them used for projects which benefit the broader community, not only the wealthy. Sadly the missionary college where I studied in north London was sold off many years ago, and its beautiful chapel is now a luxury apartment, but at least the money was used fruitfully to support the ongoing missionary work.

Back probably 20 years ago I was in an SPCK bookstore in London that was in an old church. The bookstore itself was in the nave, but the altar area had been kept as it was. After browsing for a while, I went through the communion rail and prayed for a bit. Strangely, all the sounds from the rest of the room seemed to fall away. It made a lovely break in my day.