Suche
Mein Konto
Future of churches: renovation, profanation or demolition?
The Donnersbergkreis is faced with the challenge of making unused churches fit for the future. Experts recommend creative usage concepts.
Future of churches: renovation, profanation or demolition?
The Christian churches in Germany are facing a fundamental crisis. They have been steadily losing members for years, which is reflected in a significant decline in church attendees. Loud SWR Around 20,000 Protestant and Catholic churches in Germany are now threatened. This development brings with it high maintenance costs for church buildings and forces congregations to think about alternatives.
One might think that the topic of church closures and the discussion about alternative uses is new, but the pressure has increased since the turn of the millennium. This change is particularly noticeable in regions such as the lignite mining areas, where many churches had to give way to open-cast mining. Fowid reports a discrepancy between the alleged “church wealth” and the economic pressures to close places of worship, which raises many questions.
A new life for old churches
However, in the face of these challenges, there are encouraging examples of change and conversion. The Protestant parish of Mainz-Drais has opened a café in its church, where services take place on Sundays and the café operates during the week. This promotes encounters in the district and shows how churches can function as social meeting places. Similarly, the Catholic Church in Stuttgart is planning to convert its St. Ulrich church to reduce the number of seats from 600 to 120, which is seen as an alternative to demolition.
Another example is the former St. Lukas Church in Coburg, which is a listed building and is now to be converted into administrative rooms and a stage. Real estate agent Peter Helm bought the building and wants to add modern elements while retaining the original architecture. This shows that there is a great interest among the population in the preservation of such buildings - people in Coburg are relieved that the building will not be demolished, but will find a new use.
The support of the community
In Potzbach, the doctor Lukas Schur is planning to convert a church into a doctor's office, a project that is supported by the majority of the population. Such initiatives are also part of the church manifesto, which has over 22,000 signatories and calls for new sponsorships for churches in response to the declining number of members and the difficult financial situation of many congregations.
The numbers speak for themselves: fewer believers and declining church attendance over the last ten years make it difficult to generate enough income. Loud BR Since 2000, membership numbers have fallen dramatically among both Protestants and Catholics: 23 percent among Evangelicals and 9 percent among Catholics.
The discussion about church closures is increasing at the same time as numerous restructurings are taking place in the communities. Many parishes have to merge, and the diocese of Essen is planning savings of 70 million euros - a clear sign that the question of the future of many churches is a matter of the utmost urgency.
The challenge of preserving old church buildings and at the same time adapting them to the needs of today's society seems great. But as the examples mentioned show, creative solutions can be found. Awareness that churches have not only religious but also cultural and social functions could be the key to their salvation.