Churches close their doors as fewer Americans attend
Churches close their doors as fewer Americans attend
Churches faced with empty pews are fighting to keep their doors open, while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs and luxury condos.
Summary
Churches across the U.S. are grappling with dwindling attendance and financial instability, forcing many to close or sell properties.
The Diocese of Buffalo has shut down 100 parishes since the 2000s and plans to close 70 more. Nationwide, church membership has dropped from 80% in the 1940s to 45% today.
Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.
Others, like Calcium Church in New York, make cutbacks to stay open. Leaders warn of the long-term risks of declining community and support for churches.
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while former houses of worship are being converted into bars, clubs
i want to see the pastors faces when their church gets turned into a full nude titty bar
depending on the church that could be a very interesting idea.
literally just walk into a full on church with the pews and altar and stained glass and strippers and communion shots
A kink club
It's not that far, but a couple of years ago, a Spirit Halloween took over an abandoned church at a town near here. I'm still mad I never took a picture.
Amusingly enough, one of the ministers at my childhood church brewed his own beer - and this quality featured heavily in my church's decision to invite him to preach at our congregation.
In the middle ages, it was the monasteries that kept the arts of beer brewing and wine making alive.
Still do! Trappist monks still make stuff like beer and jam as part of their beliefs. It's all really good stuff, and the proceeds go back to the monastery, the community, and the poor.
I loathe most religious institutions, but the monasteries are mostly chill.
maybe not a safe space for girls, daughters, and grandmothers.