The Aaron Renn Show What Will We Do With 100,000 Empty Churches? | Richard Reinhard
Jul 21, 2025
Rick Reinhardt, an expert on urbanism and religion and former chief of staff to a mayor in Buffalo, discusses the crisis of up to 100,000 empty churches in America. He explores the pressing challenges of declining congregations and the financial burdens of maintaining historic properties. Innovative repurposing ideas include transforming churches into affordable housing and community spaces. Reinhardt also addresses the complexities of zoning laws and the potential for churches to adapt as vital community anchors amid changing spiritual landscapes.
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America's Massive Church Closure Crisis
- Up to 100,000 churches across America face closure due to aging congregations and large deteriorating buildings.
- This decline is widespread across denominations, geographies, and urban and rural areas.
Declining Attendance and Costs
- Church attendance is falling due to declining religiosity and competition from online worship.
- Historic churches are costly to maintain, straining aging congregations financially.
High Cost Roof Repair Anecdote
- An old church in Camden, New Jersey, needs a $2 million roof repair as shingles fall dangerously onto sidewalks.
- The congregation is elderly and small, illustrating the challenge of costly upkeep for struggling churches.
