Top Tips For Converting Church Buildings Into Community Hubs

Historically, churches have stood as the central pillar of the community, with the building not just housing Sunday mass but also acting as a community centre, function room, soup kitchen and even a polling station or location where political meetings were held.

In areas where a church building is no longer appropriate for the local congregation, a significant consideration for any renovation projects is repurposing the building to reposition it as a community hub for the wider community.

This process, often officially known as reordering, can not only be highly beneficial for a community but also essential to ensure that a church and its congregation can continue. Here are some top tips to ensure it is a success.

Ask The Community What They NeedHistorically, the church has been whatever the community has needed it to be, whether it is a safe sanctuary, a function room, a place for revelry or even a community store.

Let them know what is going on, get in touch with local stakeholders, look for potential pain points and objections and be transparent throughout the process. Surveys, canvassing, and even holding a community meeting can all be essential to create buy-in.

Have A Budget And A Continued Funding PlanIt is important not only to have a budget but also to explore how the church building’s maintenance and upkeep can be funded both during the renovation works and for years into the future.

Every community will have a different solution to this problem, but it could include a community cafe or store, renting out function rooms, external funding or backing from charities. Often, it will involve a combination of different business models.

It may be worth setting up a feasibility study to ensure that your plans are robust and resilient.

Think About SustainabilityRenovations are a fantastic opportunity to look into sustainable additions that will ensure your church building will survive and thrive for decades to come.

Solar panels, heat pumps and community garden and allotment projects can help to decarbonise your church whilst also ensuring it thrives.