When a Church Becomes a Home

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When a Church Becomes a Home

Church Home

It is well known that fewer and fewer people are participating in organized religion, and the number of regular churchgoers is in steady decline. As a result, an increasing amount of “religious real estate” is being shuttered; it is usually too expensive to maintain churches not fully supported by a parish. Many of these properties are also old and in disrepair. American and European real estate developers are snapping up these often magnificent buildings, converting them into homes, condos and apartments, and listing them for sale.

Deconsecrating a Church

Churches are typically deconsecrated when they are closed, demolished or sold for secular use. The process involves removing the spiritual blessing previously bestowed upon the building by a minister or priest. Following is the format of a typical de-consecration service in the Episcopal Church:

  • Any religious objects, such as the altar, that are meant to be preserved are taken away before the service commences.
  • The presiding clergy member may begin the proceedings by addressing the congregation and stating the church “has been hallowed by cherished memories.”
  • A prayer is said proclaiming anyone who is “suffering a sense of loss should be comforted by the knowledge that the presence of God is not tied to any place or building.”
  • The priest then states “it is the intention of the diocese that the congregation not be deprived of the ministry of Word and sacrament.”
  • The Sentence of Consecrate is revoked after the Declaration of Secularization is said, which acknowledges “the building and all objects in it may be used for lawful and reputable purposes in accordance with the laws of the land.”
  • All present recite the Lord’s Prayer.
  • The service may be concluded by exchanging the peace.

Celebrities Who Have Purchased Former Churches

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Earlier this year, music superstar Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z bought a former church in New Orleans’ historic garden district that had been converted into a 13,000 square foot home. According to New York Daily News, the altar has been converted into a dining room and the master suite is the former choir loft. It also features:

  • 26-foot ceilings
  • 7 bedrooms
  • 8 bathrooms
  • Chandeliers
  • Wood floors

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is another celebrity owner of religious real state. In 2001, he purchased a French Village, and on the grounds of the property was a chapel. The movie star spent more than $10 million upgrading the property, which included converting the chapel into a guest house. The property also has:

  • Main residence
  • Staff quarters
  • Workshop/garage
  • Restaurant
  • Skate park with half pipe
  • Two swimming pools
  • “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed wine cellar

Depp has decided to sell the property, and it is currently listed for $26 million.

Anne Rice

Vampire novelist Anne Rice lived in New Orleans for many years. In 1993, she bought St. Elizabeth’s, a former orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity. The property is 47,000 square feet and includes a 225-seat chapel. Rice restored St. Elizabeth’s and used it for her guests. She also opened it to the public for tours and rented it out for parties. Rice sold it in 2002. It has since been converted into luxury condominiums, one of which is the former chapel.

Katie Perry

Even though Katie Perry is the daughter of Pentecostal pastors and began her singing career performing at church, two nuns are unhappy about her reported interest in buying a Los Angeles convent. The holy sisters are said to be engaged in a debate with the Archbishop of Los Angeles about who has the authority to approve the sale.

More and more churches are being “repurposed” as residences. While these buildings are not being used for the function for which they were originally intended, a church is a form of religious home, so perhaps the differences between the two are not as great as they first might seem.

When a Church Becomes a Home

Church Home

It is well known that fewer and fewer people are participating in organized religion, and the number of regular churchgoers is in steady decline. As a result, an increasing amount of “religious real estate” is being shuttered; it is usually too expensive to maintain churches not fully supported by a parish. Many of these properties are also old and in disrepair. American and European real estate developers are snapping up these often magnificent buildings, converting them into homes, condos and apartments, and listing them for sale.

Deconsecrating a Church

Churches are typically deconsecrated when they are closed, demolished or sold for secular use. The process involves removing the spiritual blessing previously bestowed upon the building by a minister or priest. Following is the format of a typical de-consecration service in the Episcopal Church:

  • Any religious objects, such as the altar, that are meant to be preserved are taken away before the service commences.
  • The presiding clergy member may begin the proceedings by addressing the congregation and stating the church “has been hallowed by cherished memories.”
  • A prayer is said proclaiming anyone who is “suffering a sense of loss should be comforted by the knowledge that the presence of God is not tied to any place or building.”
  • The priest then states “it is the intention of the diocese that the congregation not be deprived of the ministry of Word and sacrament.”
  • The Sentence of Consecrate is revoked after the Declaration of Secularization is said, which acknowledges “the building and all objects in it may be used for lawful and reputable purposes in accordance with the laws of the land.”
  • All present recite the Lord’s Prayer.
  • The service may be concluded by exchanging the peace.

Celebrities Who Have Purchased Former Churches

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Earlier this year, music superstar Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z bought a former church in New Orleans’ historic garden district that had been converted into a 13,000 square foot home. According to New York Daily News, the altar has been converted into a dining room and the master suite is the former choir loft. It also features:

  • 26-foot ceilings
  • 7 bedrooms
  • 8 bathrooms
  • Chandeliers
  • Wood floors

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is another celebrity owner of religious real state. In 2001, he purchased a French Village, and on the grounds of the property was a chapel. The movie star spent more than $10 million upgrading the property, which included converting the chapel into a guest house. The property also has:

  • Main residence
  • Staff quarters
  • Workshop/garage
  • Restaurant
  • Skate park with half pipe
  • Two swimming pools
  • “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed wine cellar

Depp has decided to sell the property, and it is currently listed for $26 million.

Anne Rice

Vampire novelist Anne Rice lived in New Orleans for many years. In 1993, she bought St. Elizabeth’s, a former orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity. The property is 47,000 square feet and includes a 225-seat chapel. Rice restored St. Elizabeth’s and used it for her guests. She also opened it to the public for tours and rented it out for parties. Rice sold it in 2002. It has since been converted into luxury condominiums, one of which is the former chapel.

Katie Perry

Even though Katie Perry is the daughter of Pentecostal pastors and began her singing career performing at church, two nuns are unhappy about her reported interest in buying a Los Angeles convent. The holy sisters are said to be engaged in a debate with the Archbishop of Los Angeles about who has the authority to approve the sale.

More and more churches are being “repurposed” as residences. While these buildings are not being used for the function for which they were originally intended, a church is a form of religious home, so perhaps the differences between the two are not as great as they first might seem.

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