Summary
Churches across the U.S. are grappling with dwindling attendance and financial instability, forcing many to close or sell properties.
The Diocese of Buffalo has shut down 100 parishes since the 2000s and plans to close 70 more. Nationwide, church membership has dropped from 80% in the 1940s to 45% today.
Some churches repurpose their land to survive, like Atlanta’s First United Methodist Church, which is building affordable housing.
Others, like Calcium Church in New York, make cutbacks to stay open. Leaders warn of the long-term risks of declining community and support for churches.
My little library that serves the 1200 people spread out over seven villages in my county doesn’t have any of that.
Do you think I’m lying? Or am I just too stupid to know what the little library connected to the elementary school offers?
I doubt you are lying; I’ve seen very tiny libraries in my day, including the one that was nearest to me growing up…
Perhaps you could meet the pleople who work in the library and try to organize something with them? Community gatherings need a push to start happening and people willing to organize them. If you miss these oportunities, create them, it’s not that hard and it’s very rewarding.
Wow congrats! And did you know not all churches are seen as community centers? You’re arguing against one persons anecdote with your own.
I mean, I’m trans and some kind of bi/pan, it’s not a community for people like me anyway. I can still recognize that it exists though?