Lifeway Research

Enlightening today’s church with relevant research and insights

12 Haunting Images of Abandoned Churches

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abandoned church building
Pexels photo

By Aaron Earls

This week around 100 to 200 churches in America will close their doors, according to research and analysis by Lifeway President and CEO Thom S. Rainer.

Many of those leave behind beautiful and ornate buildings that are turned into condos or fall into disarray.

In The Washington Post, Duke Kwon, pastor of Grace Meridian Hill, describes losing a church building in Washington, D.C., and the impact that can have—not just on the congregation but also on the community.

“Historic church buildings are becoming an endangered species. Sacred spaces are disappearing from our civic landscape. And I believe our city will be worse off,” Kwon writes.

“A church building exists not simply for its worshipers, but also for the common good. It is a local, identifiable and accessible ‘sanctuary’ for neighbors in need of refuge from the storms of life.”

But what happens when a church building is left to decay? USA Today recently featured the work of photographer Matthew Christopher, who captures abandoned buildings in America, including churches.

Here are some of the churches he’s photographed.

With 6,000 to 10,000 U.S. churches dying each year, according to Rainer’s research, many more buildings could end up like these.

Will it happen to your church?

Turnarounds of dying churches are rare because of all the sacrifices a congregation has to make in order to find new life.

“It is so rare that, when it happens, it is often given the name ‘miracle,’” writes Rainer.

“But we serve the God of miracles. Maybe we should expect more. Maybe we should do more.”

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AARON EARLS (@WardrobeDoor) is online editor of Facts & Trends.

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