European Churches Adapt to Changing Times: From Prayers to Pints, Confessions to Concerts

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In Belgium, a repository of confessionals, reminders of past generations seeking absolution, lies stacked in the corner of what was once Sacred Heart Church, an embodiment of the Roman Catholic faith. The transition signifies that both the confessional booths and the house of worship have outgrown their traditional roles.

The church is set to undergo a two-year hiatus while a café and concert stage are introduced, transforming the holy place into a cultural beacon situated in the heart of Mechelen, Belgium. Not far from the residence of Belgium’s archbishop, a previous Franciscan church now serves as a luxury hotel, where notable musicians like Stromae have experienced their wedding night under the traditional stained-glass windows.

Throughout Europe, a region that has cradled Christianity for nearly two thousand years, the ever-decreasing faith and church attendance has left countless churches, convents, and chapels abandoned and progressively decaying over the last fifty years.

“This situation is heartbreaking, yet returning to the past is an impossibility,” shares Mgr. Johan Bonny, the bishop of Antwerp, in an interview with the Big Big News. He believes it’s imperative to find new uses for these once-revered structures, which are now being repurposed as clothes shops, climbing walls, and nightclubs.

This trend can be observed across Europe’s Christian heartland, from Germany to Italy and numerous countries in between. It is particularly prominent in Flanders, Northern Belgium, an area renowned for its magnificent cathedrals and exquisite religious art. However, the region is lacking in churchgoers. A PEW research study in 2018 revealed that while 83% of Belgians were raised Christian, only 55% still identify with the faith, and a mere 10% continue to attend church regularly.

In the present day, international choirs touring the region might find that their ensemble outnumbers the local congregation.

Typically, each of Flanders’ 300 towns boasts around six churches, with not nearly enough regular attendees to fill even one. Many of these churches have become financial burdens due to their maintenance costs and stand as unsightly structures in city centers.

Mechelen, home to 85,000 residents and the Roman Catholic epicenter of Belgium, houses two dozen churches. Many are located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of St. Rumbold’s Cathedral and its iconic belfry tower. The town’s mayor, Bart Somers, has been actively working to repurpose many of these historic structures.

“In my city, we’ve transformed churches into breweries, hotels, cultural centers, and libraries. We’ve found a multitude of new uses for these buildings,” states Somers, who also participates in the repurposing of about 350 churches scattered across the densely populated region of 6.7 million inhabitants.

One notable repurposing effort is Martin’s Patershof hotel in Mechelen. The church’s interior was renovated to accommodate rooms featuring headboards resembling organ pipes and a breakfast area adjacent to the old altar, decorated with floating gold leaf wafers. “Guests often comment on the tranquil and serene atmosphere that the building’s former identity provides,” shares hotel manager Emilie De Preter.

The repurposed St. Anthony of Padua church in Brussels, now known as Maniak Padoue climbing club, showcases a colourful combination of stained glass windows and climbing holds, while maintaining the sanctity of the original altar.

In contrast, the Spirito nightclub in Brussels, housed in a former Anglican church, is emblematic of a more radical transition.

Bishop Bonny is cognizant that while Roman Catholicism is declining, the need for contemplation and reflection in society still exists, regardless of religious, agnostic, or atheist leanings. Hence, he is opposed to turning churches into supermarkets or discos, believing these spaces should serve more contemplative purposes.

“Is that not exactly the essence of what the church should be about?” Bonny questions. He feels the most satisfying conversions have been to other Christian communities, such as Coptic or Eastern European.

Despite the burdensome task of managing the requests for vacant Roman Catholic buildings, Bishop Bonny maintains an optimistic perspective. He even tolerates the opportunistic fervor of real estate agents looking to capitalize on these vacant spaces. Understanding the cyclic nature of Christianity, Bonny remains hopeful for the future.

Interestingly, at Martin’s Patershof, a provision allows the church to reclaim the building if it becomes necessary, assures De Preter. The hotel components were designed for easy disassembly, thus offering a chance, however slim, of returning to its original function if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Church Repurposing

More about Church Repurposing

• The Repurposing of Sacred Spaces
• Transforming Churches into Hotels and Other Uses
• PEW Research on Church Attendance in Europe
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium
• Martin’s Patershof Hotel