How does this happen - every situation is unique. Sometimes the neighborhood is deteriorating and the parishioners leave for the suburbs. Sometimes there is fiscal mismanagement and the place runs down; the church feuds and splits. Sometimes the people build a newer bigger church at another location and cannot sell the old site. Sometimes they focus on tradition and forget their Savior. This is certainly not an exhaustive summary.
The what it is a multi-faceted issue. Rezoning or conditional use permits are usually obtainable since these neighborhoods welcome any type of job-creating area-enhancing improvement. The local governments are usually happy to get tax-exempt properties changed into property and sales tax generating uses.
But it comes down to can the building be salvaged economically and safely, be brought up to current building codes, and be leased or sold at a profit. Then there is the often attached cemetery. Those thing "kill" many project possibilities.
Here's my opinion. When a church building is about to be vacated in your neighborhood the local people (not government) should band together and act as a go-between the leaving group and a vibrant out-of-town church that wants to start new ministries. Newly minted seminary grads with the backing of successful churches will often bring new life and enthusiasm to these dying areas. Strong moral and family influence is a powerful restraining force to ghetto-creep and self-perpetuating blight.
Hi, I live in the UK where the people are becoming much more secular. After the end of World War 2 in 1945, some 95% of people regularly attended church - this figure is now around 5% nationally. I've seen churches become many things - some have become bingo-halls, some have become mosques(!) and many have turned into offices, small factory units, stylish residences, bars/nite-clubs (yes, even that happens) and one place in particular is where you can now go for new tyres on your car! I guess in conclusion, they don't build 'em like they used to, and some new owners see no point in wasting money on pulling down a sound structure and spending a fortune replacing it, when they can just adapt the building and get on with pulling in some profit.
Zoning laws restrict the use. You can't just change it into something else without changing the zoning, which may be challenging in many communities. Given the need for the zoning change most buyers are not interested in the property. It's less hassle to buy a more suitable property.
Many are sold and become homes or other places of business.
I think in many cases banks do not hold loans on many churches or in some case the churches are old and mortgages have been paid off.
As to converting to a home or business there may be zoning issues in some areas that need to be contended with.
If you see one that interests you contact the County or village treasurer and determine where the property tax bills are sent or in some cases they can tell you who owns the property and you can contact the owner and ask if the property is for sale.
The bank cannot repossess it if it doesn't own it. Banks are not in the business of owning churches.
There are no church police to keep them from deteriorating.
Pretty common, usually the congregation is eager to sell land/facilities at that state too.
often they are
I worked on lots of old churches in Australia that had been sold and were being converted for homes and businesses
Some people do.
I realize that, clearly, people stop attending and thus the church can't be maintained through their tithes and offerings, but why are they allowed to completely break down and fall apart?
Couldn't the bank repossess it or something? I would think, if it was being sold for a reasonable price, *someone* would buy it and either convert it into something else or make it into a super cool home with a pretty bizarre history. It would be like living in an old firehouse.
