Due to secularisation, it is an inevitable consequence: empty churches. But what do you do with the cultural heritage? They are considering that question in Bovensmilde today.
Heritage association Heemschut, together with the Old Drentse Churches Foundation and the Drents Monument Foundation, is organizing a meeting where they will look for new uses for vacant churches. The cause of this is twofold, says Frans Schouten of Heemschut Heritage Association. “The costs are now skyrocketing and that is killing many church boards at the last minute. But of course it is also the exodus of secularization in the Netherlands.”
The symposium focuses mainly on the large, monumental village and city churches. “There are many vacant churches in Drenthe, but the smaller churches have become homes, practice spaces or business premises. They are easy to convert to another use. But what do you do with the large medieval monumental churches that become empty? What do you do with them? can you do that?”
Churches for which a new purpose has not simply been found include the Grote Kerk in Meppel and churches in Norg and Dwingeloo. “There are more churches that are really in the danger zone.” The salvation for the buildings lies primarily in the investment of municipalities and the province, Schouten explains. “Secondly, we must use the churches multifunctionally for the entire community. Not only for the church community, but also for other residents. The church is a very important symbol for the unity of the city. We must cherish and preserve that.”
What should it look like then? Look at Vught, says Schouten. “That church now houses a library, a museum and a world shop, a stage can be made there and there is a rehearsal room for groups.” According to Schouten, ‘it’s all possible’. How and whether something like this can be realized in Drenthe is what they will discuss today.