T.M. Brown
Abandoned Churches Are Becoming Private Homes. Great Prices. Need Work. - The New York Times
Many abandoned churches in the U.S. are being converted into private homes as congregations decline. Buyers are attracted to these unique properties, often at lower prices, but renovations can be expensive and challenging. Despite the changes, new owners often feel a strong connection to the community and the church's history.
Since about 2000, the number of Americans who belong to a church, synagogue or mosque has plummeted from around 70 percent to around 47 percent in 2021. The decline has been attributed to several colliding factors, including younger Americans rejecting organized religion, the rise of regional megachurches, internal church schisms, and even the Covid pandemic. (View Highlight)
In 2020, the median size of a congregation at an American church had shrunk to just 65, with countless empty buildings left behind. (View Highlight)