Second Acts for Sacred Spaces: Churches Seek New Uses Amid Declining Attendance

Philip Major arrived at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Syracuse, New York, a decade ago to find a congregation that had dwindled from over 1,500 members to just 40. The 200-year-old gothic revival cathedral, once a vibrant center of worship, now stood as a symbol of decline. As rector, Major faced the difficult prospect of closing the church’s doors. This scenario reflects a broader trend across the United States, where nearly half of churches saw a drop in attendance between 2015 and 2020. Many congregations now grapple with the question of what to do with their increasingly empty properties.

The 2024 book *Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition* estimates that as many as 100,000 church-owned buildings may be sold or repurposed by 2030. While some nondenominational churches are growing, many smaller evangelical and mainline congregations face similar challenges. Faith leaders must now navigate not only logistical and financial concerns but also the emotional weight of seeing their ministry come to an end.

Increasingly, churches are being converted into secular spaces, such as bars and coworking hubs. Yet, for those who wish to continue their mission, alternatives exist. Partners for Sacred Places, a nonprofit based in Philadelphia, assists congregations in rethinking their real estate. The organization helps churches explore new ways to serve their communities, ensuring their legacy and impact endure in different forms.

Dana Dabek, director of community engagement and transition services at Partners for Sacred Places, guides congregations through this process. She encourages them to consider the needs of their community and the intersection of their mission, space, and legacy. Churches that once hosted Sunday school may now provide childcare, while sanctuaries can support youth orchestras or other community programs. Dabek emphasizes the importance of aligning the physical space with the ongoing needs of the neighborhood.

One example of this transformation is a project in Philadelphia involving New River Presby… [Source excerpt truncated for local AI.]

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