Church pews are sitting empty. Can they become affordable housing? – NY Ledger/WaPost

“On a snowy Sunday morning in January, after Deacon delivered his sermon to 19 attendees scattered among empty pews and seats, he pondered the future of his church. He’s not sure whether it will become affordable housing. But one way or another, he hopes the reimagined church land will benefit the surrounding community.

“‘We might lose our beautiful sanctuary,’ he said. ‘We might lose the building that you raised your kids in.’ He hopes to preserve the stained glass he preached under. ‘But the church is not the building,’ he said. ‘The church is the people, the congregation.'”

“He added, ‘The church goes on.'”

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