The Problem of Church Conversions

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

The present study examines the phenomenon of the churches emptied and analyze key issues affecting their conversion, to help raise public awareness of a number of successful strategies and solutions to interested parties, which are preserved in the former church building by converting interested new use.

Reuse potential of the church used depends on the type of building and its structural condition, stakeholders, the process, regulatory framework, finance and problems on the site. Reuse of buildings for the church can be informed by studying the documentation and examples of previously successful strategies of reuse.

Table of Contents

[P.S: SELECT CTRL+DESIRED TOPIC]

CHAPTER #1: THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF CHURCH CONVERSION6

Chapter # 1a: The main problem6

Chapter # 1c: How large-scale the difficulty has become10

Chapter # 2a: The dispute of re-use13

Building Typology and Reuse Suitability13

Church Archetypes16

Chapter # 2b: The waste of some structures17

Development Issues17

Regulatory Considerations18

Valuation20

Chapter # 2c: Church is now on the other hand utilized22

Programming for Reuse22

Process23

Church Building24

Residential24

Commercial30

Community and Institutional32

Art and Cultural Activities33

CHAPTER # 3: CONVERSION OR COMPROMISE37

Research Mythology37

Primary study37

Secondary research38

Chapter # 3a: Case investigations38

Parish Bar in York/England38

Eastgate centre in Peebles/Scotland44

Reusing redundant places of adoration are well renowned architectural projects46

Chapter # 3b: Preservation as a monument and how preservation is too often glimpsed as a contradictory term48

Religious Participation in the England49

Catholicism in England51

Chapter # 3c: Recommendations for the Reuse of Churches52

Findings about the Reuse of Churches53

Conclusion60

REFERENCES62

List of Figures

Figure 1: Clarendon Court, Britain (Chou, Vincent, 2006)10

Figure 2: St. Aidan's, Brookline (Gilley, Brian, 2006)11

Figure 3: Old West Church, Britain circa 1925 (Adeney, 2003)14

Figure 4: Old West Church, Britain circa 1995. The town develops, the church remains. (Lukens, Ronald, 2003)14

Figure 5: Church Cruciform Floor Plan (Lockard, 2009)16

Figure 6: Church Large Interior Volume (Lukens, Ronald, 2003)16

Figure 7: Conversion to agencies in Kalamazoo, MI utilizing historic levy credits: before and after. (Lockard, 2009)20

Figure 8: Church Court Condominiums (Chou, Vincent, 2006)25

Figure 9: Church Court Section (Gilley, Brian, 2006)25

Figure 10: Architecture (Chou, Vincent, 2006)26

Figure 11: Office (Armstrong, Mulliner, 2001)28

Figure 12: Student Café, London(Aragon, 2000)29

Figure 13: Use as Library (Chou, Vincent, 2006)31

Figure 14: cathedral (Gilley, Brian, 2006)32

Figure 15: Concert Hall, Huddes ield, England. (Lockard, 2009)34

Figure 16: Roman pillar (Armstrong, Mulliner, 2001)36

Figure 17: Clifford's Tower (Gilley, Brian, 2006)38

Figure 18: Eastgate (Adeney, 2003)44

Figure 19: café (Lukens, Ronald, 2003)45

Figure 20: Creative Reuse Strategy: Conversion of Church to Swimming Pool (Chou, Vincent, 2006)58



Chapter #1: The issues and problems of church conversion

Nearly 16 percent of the adult population of Great Britain is one of the Christian churches, and this share is decreasing. Nevertheless, the regional differences are disclosed. In England, only 12 percent of the adult population ...