The Sandbox: New plans for old churches

Christchurch Anglican Cathedral

Christchurch. The garden city endowed with inspiring architecture and majestic structures. Awe inspiring steeples and stained glass cathedrals.

Many of these beautiful, iconic church buildings now lay in ruins. Since the recent earthquakes, they are being condemned and demolished - leaving the faithful standing on vacant lots, disillusioned, yet unshaken in their faith and resolve.

Is this their darkest hour or their greatest opportunity?

Some would have us question the place of church in modern society. Martin Van Beynen's provocative article entitled 'Save space, just one church should cover it' is an example of this. However, Christianity and traditional churches are an important and significant part of Christchurch's history for many people.

Christ Church Oxford

The city of Christchurch was born in 1856 making it the oldest established city in New Zealand. It was named after Christ Church, Oxford - An educational institute and cathedral in England. This was to be the model for the new settlement in Canterbury. Graduate John Robert Godley, suggested the name for the city which was approved at the first ever meeting of the Canterbury Association.

Now, 155 years later the churches in Christchurch are presented with a unique opportunity. They have the space and the resources to build new and creative structures that can support Christchurch now and into the future. Structures that add value and depth to the whole community as well as providing a "home base" for believers. The challenge in 2011 for Christchurch is to celebrate and honor it's rich heritage, yet rebuild in such a way that is relevant for an ever changing population.

Charles de Lint asks, "Why did men worship in Churches, locking themselves away in the dark, when the world lay beyond its door in all its real glory?"

Imagine churches with doors wide open. Not to worship the glory of creation (which pales in comparison to the glory of the Creator) but to unite the city and its people in a living faith that reaches the deepest needs and feeds the souls of humankind.

It might be a far off dream. It might never happen...but what's the alternative?

The Upside Down Church?

Inflatable Church?

Church of Charles Darwin?

Whatever Christchurch does with its buildings, the Church will live on regardless. Bridget Willard sums it up perfectly with this quote.

“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” Bridget Willard

2 comments:

Stephen20 August 2011 at 23:01
Why did men worship in Churches, locking themselves away in the dark, when the world lay beyond its door in all its real glory?

Is it because we do need a place to meet? A place with shade from the sun and warmth from the cold. A place to call our own and conveniently leave everything ready for next time.

Or is it because we use it as an escape? A place to be away from the world and it's preasures. Somewhere to retreat and recharge our spiritual batteries.

I think both are true to some extent and have a degree of relevance. However there is a real risk that they just become a cover while we fail to engage with the rest of the world around us, the place were we all live during the other 166hrs of the week.

The trouble is this sepparation means we can be different in the week from a Sunday and not have to face up to the fact that being a Christian out in the big wide world can be a little uncomfortable and challenging at times.
Evo23 August 2011 at 03:10
This is the issue I'm starting to think about as well - the whole building concept. If it is a one day thing, then I like the idea of something like the inflatable church! What do we do with the building the rest of the time? Perhaps we can be more functional with it...