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OVERVIEW
What declining department stores were to our municipalities in the late 20th and early 21st century, emptying houses of worship are today, only the challenges are more vexing.
A tsunami of emptying houses of worship is washing across the U.S., from denomination to denomination, from coast to coast. The former Vice President of Research and Planning of the National Council of Churches estimates that 100,000 houses may be closed over the next decade.
Why the tsunami? A perfect storm. Americans, especially younger generations, are shying away from attending services. A 2021 Gallup poll showed that over the past 20 years, church membership plummeted from 70 percent to 47 percent of Americans; projecting that decline a generation forward may tell an even greater story.
Real estate operating costs are up, especially for utilities, insurance, and repair, exacerbated by aging facilities overdue for repair. Estimates are that it costs congregations $7-10 per square foot just to operate church buildings, never mind paying for staffor services.
Personal mobility and internet connectivity have undergone a revolution. In the 19th century worshipers either walked or rode horseback to services. Today with one click of the computer, neighborhood houses of worship compete with those from all over the globe, as with one click, worshipers can join services of the Pope or the Dalai Lama.
Finally, Covid-19 threw a giant monkey wrench into the works; Covid drove people away from services who never returned or moved to online services for the convenience and accessibility.
COMMUNITY EFFECTS
The effect of emptying houses of worship on the real estate of our cities, towns, and villages is profound. A few examples:
* The Planning Director of Gary, Indiana, reports that her city of 68,000 is the site of more than 250 empty churches.
* The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church rated its 500-plus churches on 10 factors and found 20 percent to be in critical condition (tiny congregation and desperate finances), 40 percent right behind in serious condition, and only 40 percent in fair-to-good condition.
* The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo just announced closure of 70 churches throughout Western New York. Not only have Catholics pulled back on attending church, but also a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has...