From staff reports
Historic churches are at risk due to a declining membership, financial constraints and structural concerns. Those issues have resulted in at least one local church, St. Stephen Church in Oil City, facing questions regarding its future.
The secular and nonprofit Partners for Sacred Places organization offers the following ideas to consider if communities are concerned about the viability of their churches.
Buy some time: If the owner of a sacred place seems to be rushing toward closure or demolition, the most important thing is to slow down the process. Sometimes, it can help for a civic leader or political official to call for a pause. Or for a “friends” group or community group to come forward and offer help.
Thus, it can be very helpful to secure the pro bono help of an architect or contractor who can provide a second opinion. Sometimes, a local preservation group can provide the services of a professional, pro bono, who can provide an estimate of repair costs that is more doable, or can be staged over time.
Enlarge the group that cares: Consider ways to get other people involved. Getting the media to circulate the story will help. Using social media can help. And, try to get the help of organizations that understand the value of a sacred place, such as neighborhood groups, or the local historic preservation organization.
Find a gift to stabilize: If the failure of a boiler or the imminent collapse of a portion of the ceiling is the immediate cause of the emergency, it may be that one gift to cover that cost – or in-kind support from a contractor – would solve the problem and, again, buy time.
Engage the media: One action that would serve several purposes – enlarging the group that cares, unearth donors, buy time – is getting the local media interested. One good article in the newspaper is worth its weight in gold, so get to know your local editors and reporters to see who might get hooked on the story.
