Through 6 October 2024, the Museum of Building Culture NRW presents "Churches as Fourth Places – Perspectives on Change," an exhibition centered on the diverse voices and perspectives shaping church transformation. Held at the Heilig-Geist-Kirche in Essen-Katernberg, it explores why and how people across different backgrounds engage with this vital topic.

As churches sit vacant and face demolition, communities increasingly seek spaces for meaningful exchange, connection, and shared identity. Church buildings offer a compelling answer – their architecture anchors identity in the urban landscape, they shelter conversations about spirituality and reflection, and they possess atmospheres of singular emotional resonance. This is where churches transcend their traditional role to become "fourth places" – spaces that move beyond casual community gathering to create something more profound. Through video interviews, the Museum of Building Culture NRW illustrates the full spectrum of people driving these conversion projects, their motivations, and the collaborative dialogues essential to successful transformation.

The exhibition also showcases 27 examples of already-repurposed churches across North Rhine-Westphalia. Through photographs and accompanying texts, these cases reveal the remarkable range of architectural and programmatic approaches to church transformation. Supporting materials address practical considerations including heritage protection, municipal involvement, and ecclesiastical law. "Churches as Fourth Places" catalyzes fresh thinking about the future of spaces once reserved for worship. Discussion sessions and workshops bring together neighboring communities, residents, local associations, and other stakeholders to explore possibilities for adaptive reuse. An online platform – Zukunft – Kirchen – Räume (Future – Churches – Spaces) – extends the conversation, documenting completed conversions and offering extensive resources on the topic.

Exhibition venue
Heilig-Geist-Kirche, Meybuschhof 9, 45327 Essen

Hours
Wednesday–Friday: 3–8 pm; Saturday–Sunday: 10 am–6 pm | Free admission

Events
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 7 pm: Church and City – Transformation as Dialogue

Guided tours
Sunday, September 22, 2024, 12 noon
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 12 noon

www.baukultur.nrw/museum