The buildings of the churches are mostly in the best places in the city centre. Donato Scognamiglio (52) says this makes them interesting for the real estate market. The head of real estate agency Iazi continues: “The sale of unholy buildings, such as a vicarage, in an urban area can lead to the knocking of safes in a church community. However, the main reason for this is the high land prices.
Church congregations also gild their property themselves. The Evangelical-Reformation church community in Bern is currently renovating the “Calvin House” in a prime location on Marienstrasse in Bern. The old church hall will be converted into apartments that the church will rent on market conditions in the future.
Monument protection makes conversion difficult
When it comes to churches, Scognamiglio is more reserved. “They’re listed, and for a change of use to have social acceptance, the best options aren’t very cohesive concepts like a library or a nursing home.”
An example of successful conversion is the Evangelical Reformed Church in Basel-Stadt. Due to the sharp decline in membership, he leased the Pauluskirche to a union that operates the historic building as a cultural church. Since then, concerts, weddings and company celebrations have taken place here.
Also used for circus shows
Years ago, the Matthäuskirche in the city of Bern was threatened with destruction. The dwindling number of members faced an enormous need for restructuring. But the city bought the building with zoning rights and turned it into a day school, a nursery, and a kindergarten for the thriving district.
Another example is St. Joseph’s congregation. MaiHof did not abandon his church, but expanded its use and thus filled it with additional life. The rows are outside in the parish hall and in the neighborhood centre: Since then, the hall has been rented for a wide variety of events, such as classical concerts, university exams or a circus show.
However, subsequent uses in small villages are much more difficult. Neighborhoods there repeatedly fail to find buyers for disused rectory buildings in need of renovation.