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12 Haunting Images of Abandoned Churches

Uncategorized | May 15, 2018

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.

The demolition of the abandoned St. Bonaventure Church in Philadelphia.
More on this location at https://t.co/gwyiGFBIBe pic.twitter.com/5gjARFr06y

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) March 9, 2018

The vestibule of an abandoned church. More at https://t.co/DKbnBLPXi1 pic.twitter.com/yyR5TpdtAZ

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) March 10, 2018

The gorgeous #architecture of a stairway inside an abandoned Western Pennsylvania church remains intact despite years of neglect.*
More at https://t.co/kxX73FBgfJ

* Now with 100% more correct picture attachments pic.twitter.com/M4Q9u4N4px

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) March 30, 2018

Abandoned Ascension of Our Lord church, 2015. https://t.co/Zy3k7MlwiS pic.twitter.com/eCK3VUUlrp

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) May 1, 2018

Confessional at the abandoned Ascension of Our Lord Church in Philadelphia. The church was recently destroyed by a fire set by squatters. https://t.co/yUvgmHNFHP pic.twitter.com/6ITWMIlhsx

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) January 31, 2018

Abandoned Catholic church, 2010. Info at: https://t.co/z2RvAatkzk pic.twitter.com/eYn1EtWsBg

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) August 11, 2017

#Abandoned church. Just heard it's wrecked by graffiti & vandalism now. So tired of seeing places ruined by creeps. https://t.co/EK0CouCz6f pic.twitter.com/9paTMpDY9M

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) June 26, 2017

#Abandoned St. Bonaventure church during demo, #Philadelphia
More info at https://t.co/5uWfR1BaOv#philly #architecture #urbex pic.twitter.com/D50Ola9uul

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) June 22, 2017

#Abandoned St. Bonaventure church during demo, #Philadelphia
Gallery: https://t.co/FWPOuyXaVM#abandonedamerica #philly #architecture #u… pic.twitter.com/8GoMdXhENr

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) June 17, 2017

Abandoned church. More on my website at http://t.co/saUlog8vqA pic.twitter.com/SHEnTGck3x

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) February 19, 2015

This shuttered Episcopal Church in western Pennsylvania operated from 1901-2007. Not long after this image was taken the floor and parts of the ceiling collapsed – a shame as this was a beautiful and architecturally unique spot. More at https://t.co/dqNV9l9vBY pic.twitter.com/y5jGUrUo3T

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) March 10, 2018

#Abandoned Holy Trinity Church in Duquesne, torn down after the roof collapsed. #thephotohour @Brian_Ashcraft https://t.co/dHFFxW5DPA pic.twitter.com/Hc00S1rAx0

— Abandoned America (@abandonedameric) October 12, 2017

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.”

Related:

  • Hope for Dying Churches
  • 6 Radical Steps for a Dying Church to Find Life
  • Church Revitalization: New Life for Dying Churches
  • Americans Believe Church is Good, But Dying

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

Related posts:

8 Church Design Trends for 2022 4 Changes I’d Make If I Could Start Ministry Over

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