Evangelical Church in Bavaria: Which properties are still needed?

Evangelical Church in Bavaria: Which properties are still needed?

The Evangelical Church in Bavaria is facing a financial challenge that is increasingly affecting its real estate portfolio. According to a report by the Danube Courier The decline in church tax and the declining number of church members are a worrying signal. Therefore, municipalities in the Roth district analyze which properties are necessary and financeable in the long term.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELKB) owns around 1,980 churches and chapels as well as other facilities such as 1,680 community centers, 1,800 parsonages, 770 multi-purpose buildings and 800 kindergartens, like this Sunday paper reported. The need to review property inventory is supported by forecasts that predict church membership will halve by 2050. This means that church tax revenue could also decline significantly. In order to respond to these changes, ELKB plans to reduce its inventory by up to 50 percent by 2035.

Discussion about necessary real estate

There are already discussions within communities about which properties are unnecessary. Particular attention is paid to the small parish churches and community centers, which often date from the 1960s and 1970s. These facilities are on the so-called “red list” of potential closures, with larger cathedrals not affected.

The challenge of reusing these properties is complex because each church is unique. The municipal land use plan classifies churches as “areas for common use,” which makes it difficult to build residential buildings. Instead, projects such as student dormitories, kindergartens and retirement homes appear to be more sensible alternatives to converting the space.

Emotional ties and legal hurdles

The demolition of churches is an extremely rare measure. According to the regional church, there has only been one instance in the last 30 years. In addition, around 1,280 Protestant churches in Bavaria are under monument protection, which further restricts renovation work. Before a church can be opened for secular purposes, it must be de-dedicated in a special service. This represents another aspect that makes the reuse of churches more difficult, as many people are emotionally attached to these places and resist demolition or conversion plans.