without a place to live , people who are often not welcome in other houses of worship or neighborhoods . Thanks to the passion of a local artist , the congregation commissioned a rare and magnificent fresco depicting the people without homes who participate in the programs there . The fresco exemplifies how people are recognized as full human beings with a place to belong at this historic repurposed building .
BJ : It ’ s one thing when a church has become empty and you have a blank slate to reimagine the place . But if the congregation is still there , you need to figure out ways to introduce new programs and new life that energizes the congregation and expresses its mission . Partners wants to help congregation survive and thrive , if that ’ s possible .
TF : True , but people have incredible , powerful strategies for avoiding what models and examples tell them . That model is them , not us . It ’ s an excuse to write it off instead of doing something new .
We need to look at ourselves , our context , the ebb and flow of our community . What kind of initiatives does this community need , and let that inspire you to do something that ’ s appropriate for YOU . Build on your strengths . And that means going out and meeting the people around you —
ABOVE : A small former Roman Catholic parish church being repurposed as a restaurant was thrwarted by financial and architectural challenges .
LEFT : All Saints Episcopal was left isolated when most of its neighborhood was demolished in urban renewal around 1970 .
you may be surprised to learn that local residents , the business and non-profit communities , public agencies , people who don ’ t participate in your congregation , recognize and appreciate your building more than you thought they did .
Another paradigm shift that comes to mind : starting to see your building as dynamic , not static . Just because spaces have been used for X , Y , and Z over the years , it doesn ’ t have to be that way forever . It ’ s like a family living in a house . People get used to using their house in a certain way . Sometimes you need a family member or a neighbor to come in and comment on something you haven ’ t noticed before . They might say , “ if you took out this wall , you would create a really great open space with lots more light in the room .”
We got so accustomed to our spaces , to the point where we don ’ t see them anymore and they become static in our minds . And so how do you
12 SACRED PLACES • FALL / WINTER 2021 / 22