Churches - use them or lose them say heritage speakers

“Churches are quickly becoming one of the most endangered ‘species’ we have,” said Meghan Hallett, Registrar for the Nova Scotia Historic Places Initiative.

“We’ve lost some of our best architecture and the connection to our social community and spiritual past,” she added.

During the presentation, examples of the adaptive re-use of churches around the world were showcased.

Some provinces in Canada and other countries have found creative ways to save their churches. Quebec has devoted $160 million since 1995 to fund the maintenance of churches. Scotland acquires buildings and works directly with the community to fund all essential repairs, which are supported through donations and legacies.

England cares for 340 churches and promotes the use of the buildings through tourism and other activities.

“One of their main links on their webpage is family events, not so much for religious events, but art shows and school programs, even birthday parties,” said Hallett.

In Pittsburgh, USA, a church has been restored as a microbrewery restaurant - Church Brew Works even has brewing vats located in the alter area.

A database is underway of churches in the province and a preliminary synopsis of 660 shows that 33 per cent are extant, nine per cent are registered, five per cent are desecrated and five per cent are demolished. The remaining status of 44 per cent has not been confirmed and it’s feared that many of these may be in serious disrepair.

A councillor in the audience suggested that the heritage association should approach councils in each county for the status of churches in each community to help complete the database.

During the presentation, panelist speaker Tania Rolland described how she and her partner restored St. Alban’s Anglican Church, in Lequille into an impressive residential building, which they now live in.

Maggie Holm, a facilitator for the event and heritage planner for Halifax Regional Municipality, asked some important questions during the session.

“What are our assets? Which ones can we afford to keep? Which ones can’t we?”