Repurposed Churches Are On Trend

Revamping holy to hip–– Many old churches have gone through drastic transformations. With respect to historic preservation, churches around the world have been redesigned into restaurants, bookshops, and beyond. From swimming laps down the altar to sipping beer by stained glass, "going to church" can have a whole new meaning. 

Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands on Wikimedia

1. Church Brew Works- USA

The abandonment of the old St. John the Baptist Church in Pittsburgh lead to a brewery takeover. Brewmasters turn holy water into beer at Church Brew Works inside the century-old structure. Renovations took place with respect to its history, keeping many of its existing fixtures and revamping its tired walls.  

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2. Gattopardo- Italy

From spiritual to spirits, this abandoned old church is now home to an exclusive nightclub featuring a stocked bar and holy beats. It's kept its historic interior, adding to its ornate design with sparkling chandeliers and an exquisite stage. You may need to confess your sins after a night at Gattopardo.  

Bruce Turner on Wikimedia

3. Le Champignon Urbain- France

The property of Martray Chapel in Nantes, France, was won by mushroom farmers in a competition to save the 19th century church. The company, Le Champignon Urbain, uses the renovated chapel to grow shitake mushrooms that are distributed to local restaurants.     

Eric Steinert on Wikimedia

4. The Jane- Belgium 

Fine dining has taken off inside the old chapel of a former soldier hospital. The Michelin-star restaurant The Jane showcases a contemporary high-end dining experience with a holy-meets-rock n' roll vibe. The architect redesigned the historic church with its preservation in mind, building with its original features.  

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5. Tesco Bournemouth- UK

You can buy your groceries from a former Methodist church in Bournemouth. The renowned supermarket chain Tesco welcomes grocery shoppers inside its church doors. The church has been preserved as much as possible, including its biblical stained glass windows.  

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6. Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen- Netherlands

You can still read the bible here–– the stunning former Dominican church is now a huge bookshop. This bookworm's paradise has kept much of the original features, adding contemporary bookshelves and furniture that are freestanding.  

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7. Repton Park Health Club- England

If a dip in the pool isn't heavenly enough, take a plunge inside the 1893 chapel in London. As a former psychiatric hospital belonging to Claybury Hospital, the interior has seen drastic shifts in activities. It is now a health club featuring a pool by stained glass windows and exercise machines under mosaic ceilings.  

Jeroen Komen on Wikimedia

8. The Hellena- USA

The Hellena was a church the 1930s but it's now a place for a sacred stay. Since 2021, The Hellena hosts tourists as a five-bedroom AirBnb rental home. The interior has been completely revamped with modern elegance but you can still get a glimpse of authenticity staring up its sky-high ceilings and church windows.  

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9. Cafe Appalachia- USA

If you worship a cappuccino as well as faith, visit Cafe Appalachia in South Charleston. The former Methodist church is now run by a nonprofit group called Pollen8 who opened up a friendly cafe. The organization also provides employment training for women recovering from the opioid crisis that struck West Virginia.  

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10. Paradiso- Netherlands

Paradiso in Amsterdam is a music venue from heaven. The ornate building was once a gathering place for a Christian group until 1965. Now a club and concert hall, iconic performers such as Nirvana and Madonna have blessed the stage. 

Garion96 on Wikimedia

11. Sheerness Dockyard Church- England

The Sheerness Dockyard Church on the Isle of Sheppey was said to have been completed in 1828. After a 2001 fire turned much of it to ruins, only parts of the original structure remain intact. Keeping a balance of preserved history and newly constructed repairs, the building now serves as a workplace hub for rising entrepreneurs.  

Richard Rogerson  on Wikimedia

12. Klaarchitectuur Firm- Belgium

Once a chapel in 1872, this heritage building in Limburg has been converted into an architecture firm for Klaarchitectuur's studio, office, and event space. With exception to the brand new roof, the architectural repairs for this church left a lot of the original interior surfaces untouched with modern renovations added.  

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13. Vertige Escalade Climbing Centre- Canada

In Quebec, the 1940s Eglise Christ-Roi church has been converted into a rock climbing gym. Although the original structure still remains, most of the religious elements have been transformed. Sports images take the place of the Stations of the Cross and clear glass fills the former stained glass windows.  

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14. Boksto 6 Event Space- Lithuania

This Unesco World Heritage site is over 500 years old and was once a Polish cardinal's palace, monastery, chapel, and even a hospital in the Soviet times. The tall chapel was restored and a metal spiral staircase leads to the reconstructed choir stall and additional glass balcony. The site has new life as a venue with restaurants, swimming pool, offices, and event spaces.  

Sarah Schorer on Pexels

15. Clerkenwell Church- England

Renowned designer Tom Dixon transformed this historic church into a co-working space with a modern twist. Without much construction to the original structure and details, many elements were added like geometric furniture and elaborate light fixtures.  

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16. Loro Restaurant- USA

In Houston, Texas, a 1940s church was converted into an Asian smokehouse. The restaurant still features the original wooden trusses and a lot of the structure's design. Renovations like new windows and skylights were added for more natural light to flood inside.  

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17. Fontevraud Abbey - France

In Fontevraud Abbey stands a monastery complex from the Middle Ages that's been redeveloped. The architect transformed the protected interior with modern designs and custom freestanding furniture. The former chapel is now home to an elegant hotel, restaurant, and banquet hall.    

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18. Monique-Corriveau Library- Canada

The St Denys-du-Plateau church was revamped into a modern library. Part of the original building is preserved and separated by a void, attempting to balance old and new. The additional tent-like architecture is equipped with colorful glass panels and a spiral staircase.   

Judicieux on Wikimedia

19. La Iglesia Skatepark- Spain

In the town of Llanera, a rare century old neo-Romanesque church is now an incredible skatepark. Skaters are practicing ollies and rolling up and down timber ramps against its ancient walls. Colorful murals frame the original windows and sky-high arched ceilings.  

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20. The Church Arts Center- USA

In Sag Harbor, New York, a 1864 Methodist church went through several owners and renovations. It was originally built in Italianate style and although it's been through a lot of changes, they managed to preserve a lot of its original design. Modern transformations are in place including a glass elevator and a mezzanine. Translucent prints of local artists portraits have replaced the stained glass windows. 

Americasroof at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia