Churches fight to stay open as attendance dwindles
abcnews.go.com
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.

  • queermunist she/her
    23·
    8 days ago

    If you had kids and needed someone to watch them, would any of them do it? If you both got sick and needed someone to bring you hot meals, would any of them do it? If your car broke down, would any of them drive you to work?

    If your house got destroyed by a natural disaster, would you be able to stay with any of them?

    Community isn’t just a friend group. Community is local. It has to be, or it’s just a group of people.

      • queermunist she/her
        15·
        8 days ago

        I’m sorry, I don’t believe you. Your Internet friend would travel across the country to drive you to work? Come on.

        There are just some functions of community that can never be fulfilled by the internet.

        Even if you want to argue it is a community, you can’t tell me it is a full replacement for an in person communal space.

          • queermunist she/her
            14·
            8 days ago

            Sorry, but it’s hard to believe someone would drive cross country just to take you to work. That’s something neighbors do.