This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for more information.
(This post was written prior to 2016, in a blog entitled “Jubal’s Jottings.”)
Since writing the last little piece about the demise of churches now being used as concert venues rather than churches, I have thought of a few other uses of former churches that I have known about. Since many of the churches that are defunct are in older parts of town and/or urban areas, they are prime candidates for urban renewal programs. Some of them are in revitalizing downtown situations where people are beginning to return to live again. The land they sit on, that had become lower in value, has started to return to a higher value as a result…but the church doesn’t come back, just the people. One former church has been turned into rather nice lofts for living. The high ceiling made it quite nice for adding in a multiple-level living space. Other churches have been converted into nightlife spots…sports bars and the like. Sad! I also recalled that I conducted a recording session in London several years ago…in a former church. Some of the side vestry areas had been walled off into glassed isolation rooms for drums, piano, and other instruments. The control booth was where the platform had been. The old pipe organ was still in place at the rear portion of the space. One guy climbed up there to see if the organ still worked…and it did – though terribly out of tune and with the distinct sound of air escaping through all of the leaks.
So, is that where we are headed? Churches used for everything except church? My heart sinks a little thinking of the ghosts of past congregants who have stood in those rooms and dedicated the space to the worship and praise of God, the proclamation of His Word, and other spiritual endeavors. Now, what are the sounds within those walls? Hmmm….
Jubal, good thing your church was portable!