The church building where the Rev. Charles Sheldon, author of In His Steps" preached in the early 20th century is for sale. I drive by it every day, as I live less than a half mile from it.
The book was the one that asked the question that’s become a byword “What Would Jesus Do?” The article is here.
It’s a big structure. I’ve been in a couple of meeting rooms there, and in the basement where the kitchen is, and where the rummage sales used to be held.
I think the congregation is very small, with almost no young people. Kind of sad, they have been very open and accepting. A banner that hangs above the front door proclaims “God is still speaking” and the words are superimposed over a rainbow flag.
Nothing stays the same forever, I know that, but it’s quite a building and I’d hate to see it torn down. Maybe another congregation can make use of it.
It’s pretty common for churches to rent their old buildings. Theres a church at the entrance of my 1950’s subdivision. I found out its not a neighborhood church anymore. Congregations from 15 or 20 miles away lease it and hold services. It’s changed Congregations several times in the past 25 years.
Some old churches get turned into homes. But thats a difficult project. Churches are often not insulated well and the room layouts require changing for a home.
Due to changing demographics and whatnot, the regional United Methodist Church structure re-aligned its congregations and closed a couple of buildings and put at least one on the market. One sold and became a one-stop shop for faith-based social services, and I get the impression that some of the smaller, newer churches are going to share the space, which makes sense.
Bolding mine. That’s not a bad idea. The sanctuary could still be a chapel, or used by more than one small congregation. Heck, there’s plenty of room there for all kinds of offices, the extra spaces are way more square footage than the sanctuary itself.
The sanctuary itself is for sale, and the other sale is the function and office spaces.
The members of Central Congregational will have to find another church home, and that’s sad too.