Commitment to the preservation and use of church buildings

Church buildings are far more than just historic structures: they are defining features of our townscapes, testimonies to regional history and, across generations, important centres of community life – and thus often ‘third’ or ‘fourth places’. However, in the face of falling membership numbers, changing parish structures and high maintenance costs, many churches face an uncertain future. How can we succeed in preserving these buildings whilst at the same time developing new ways of using them?

The heritage networks in Germany present various forms of engagement using selected examples. The focus is on initiatives by associations, local communities, committed citizens and other partners who are taking responsibility for the preservation of church buildings and developing viable plans for their use. The event showcases the ideas, collaborations and funding models being employed, as well as the concrete results they have yielded. It provides insights into successful projects, highlights challenges and invites participants to engage in discussion about the future of churches as heritage sites, cultural centres and places of community gathering.

The heritage networks are linked nationwide under the umbrella of the Federation for Heritage and the Environment in Germany (BHU); the BHU supports their work as the national federation of local history and citizens’ associations and represents the interests of civil society in heritage conservation vis-à-vis politicians, public authorities and the general public.

Programme:

Introduction: Dr Inge Gotzmann, BHU

Thuringia Heritage Network, Constanze Roth and Hans-Peter Schmit:

Commitment to the preservation and use of churches in Thuringia

- Bavaria Heritage Network , Heidi Weinbeck and Manuela Klauser:

Late protection, open future? Post-war churches in the process of transformation. Case studies: St Benedict’s in Ebenhausen-Schäftlarn and St Mauritius’ in Munich-Moosach

- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Heritage Network, Dr Anna-Konstanze Schröder:

Examples from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

- Baden-Württemberg Heritage Network, Barbara Saebel:

Examples from Baden-Württemberg

- Saxony Heritage Network , Sarah Blacha andTom Macht:

Use of the Polenz Chapel

Followed by:

A panel discussion with representatives of the heritage networks and Prof. Dr Karin Berkemann

Moderator: Dr Annette Schneider-Reinhardt