Memorandum
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- Connor Quincy via NYT - Europe
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- Culture·3 min to read
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Artists Propose New Uses for Europe’s Abandoned Churches
ReArtists Propose New Uses for Europe’s Abandoned Churches
As secularization empties churches across Europe, artists and communities are reimagining these buildings as care centers, art venues, and other communal spaces, offering a creative answer to the continent’s 'zombie churches' problem.
Across Europe, a growing number of church buildings are being left empty as the continent’s ties to Christianity continue to fade. Rather than seeing these structures as relics of a bygone era, a new wave of artists and community organizers is proposing to transform them into vibrant communal spaces, including care centers and venues for the arts.
The phenomenon has become so widespread that these vacant religious buildings have acquired a colloquial name: “zombie churches.” They are neither fully alive as places of worship nor completely demolished, occupying a strange middle ground in the urban landscape. For many towns and cities, the question of what to do with these buildings has become an urgent practical and cultural challenge.
Artists are stepping in with a range of ideas that go beyond simple preservation. Some proposals involve converting former sanctuaries into affordable studio spaces for creators, while others envision turning the large, echoing interiors into performance halls or exhibition galleries. The architectural features that made these buildings suitable for worship — high ceilings, abundant natural light, and a sense of solemnity — are being reimagined as assets for cultural experiences.
Another prominent suggestion is the conversion of churches into care centers. The quiet, contemplative atmosphere of these buildings could lend itself well to facilities for the elderly, community health services, or spaces dedicated to mental well-being. This approach frames the buildings not as monuments to a fading faith, but as resources that can serve the living needs of the population.
The trend reflects a broader shift in how European societies view their religious heritage. While some communities still fight to keep their churches open for worship, many others are accepting the reality of declining congregations and are looking for pragmatic ways to keep the buildings relevant. The adaptive reuse of these spaces is seen by many as a way to preserve the architectural and historical value of the structures while giving them a new purpose for the 21st century.
This movement is not without its tensions. Balancing the sacred history of the buildings with their new secular functions requires careful thought. However, proponents argue that a church that serves as a community hub, an art space, or a care facility is better than one that stands empty and decaying. The goal, they say, is to keep these buildings at the heart of community life, even if the nature of that life has changed.
As the number of empty churches continues to grow, the ideas coming from the artistic community are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of Europe’s urban and rural landscapes. The challenge is not just to fill a vacant building, but to give it a new soul that respects its past while embracing its future.
