I’ve been following the trend of church conversions since 2015. While working part-time for my professor at his consulting firm, I did research for a real estate company—Patch of Land. I was assigned the city of Boston and analyzed fascinating real estate trends at the time.
One of those trends? Turning churches into apartment buildings! These buildings are vast, unique, and full of character. But what’s driving this shift?
Why Are Churches Being Converted?
The major reason behind this trend is simple: declining church attendance.
According to a Gallup article, church attendance has dropped significantly over the last two decades. Between 2000-2003, 42% of U.S. adults attended regularly. In 2020-2023, that number fell to just 30%.
This decline is even sharper among younger adults. Only 22% of 18-29-year-olds attend church regularly, and 35% of them report having no religious preference at all.
What Happens to These Church Buildings?
Many church properties are enormous, historic, and costly to maintain. With fewer parishioners comes fewer donations—and without funding, these beautiful spaces often fall into disrepair.
Meanwhile, housing costs in the U.S. are soaring. The average age of a first-time homebuyer is now 56, and the average home costs $420K as of Q3 2024. These trends leave many buyers searching for creative, affordable alternatives—and old churches present an exciting option.
Opportunities for Creative Buyers
For those with vision (and patience), church properties offer endless possibilities:
- Create a one-of-a-kind home: Imagine transforming a historic sanctuary into a stunning single-family home.
- Launch a revenue-generating business: With their unique architecture and large spaces, churches are perfect for apartments, event venues, coffee shops, museums, art galleries, or even dance studios.
A Modern Solution for Historic Spaces
The decline in church attendance and the rise in housing costs create an opportunity to reimagine these historic buildings. Whether it’s turning a church into a dream home or a thriving business, these spaces are a blank canvas for those who dare to think outside the box.
If you’ve ever wanted to own something truly special, it might be time to look at churches in a whole new way.