The "Church" in the Diaspora

Abstract

The basis of this thesis surrounds the uprooting of a community from its church whose experiences already lived through displacement. What results then is a removal that strips an established community of its identity, leaving the church building vacant or to be redeveloped. What has taken place in North America are historic churches reaching a decline, similar to the subject, that often succumb to economic pressures as demands such as housing persist. Developers and architects have followed suit to convert churches into heavily privatized uses, which presents some challenges in perceptions around newly repurposed churches. Some find converted churches trendy, while there are those, whether Christian or related, who see churches as original temples for spiritual practice. The disconnect offers the opportunity to repurpose former churches, not only for housing but for critically-thought programs that can strengthen neighborhoods. Despite adaptations configured into a new use, considerations to translate a church’s past fall short beyond its external expression. These adaptations, thus leave another question unanswered: how do we deal with a translation of a church’s sanctity? Any associations of its meaning are challenged by a church’s shifting identity related to its communities. Through a study of a diaspora church, I will explore ways to reconcile church adaptations that serve the community of parishioners and neighbors while addressing economic demands. What I offer is a chance to reclaim and repurpose the church to be a renewed anchor that stems from former attributes of fellowship and a memory of the place.