Session 1

The Perspective of cultural studies, theology and religious studies

How does the current position of the church building relate to dominant sacred and ritual zones in our culture? In modern contexts how ‘iconic’ can a church building be? What are topical prospects for the recasting of redundant churches seen from the perspectives of current culture studies, ritual studies, theology and studies in religion?

This opening keynote intends to present some notes from the perspective of current Ritual Studies as topical incentives for exploring the reuse of redundant church buildings. Themes are: reuse as recasting, sacred ritual fields or zones in our culture, and as an example of ritual criticism the ‘framing’ of redundant churches.

This paper will show innovative examples of churches and how they use traditional buildings in multifunctional ways during the day, or the week. There is often a correlation visible in fresh expressions between the church building, the context and how the building is used and redesigned. And sometimes there is a dynamic to rather not use a building anymore because it can’t be used in a way that would be honest to the context and the Christian community. But the correlation between building, innovation and tradition is one, that becomes visible and that has to be discussed.

The future of church buildings is not only a question of architecture but more a question of society. As signs of transcendence church buildings can give orientation not exclusively for religious people but also for other ‘seeking’ persons. This preference to a hybridization ("erweiterte Nutzung") can be a chance for all parties involved: society, Christian community and last but not least: the church building.