THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH BUILDING

The medieval churches are significant architectural buildings which have over the centuries provided a framework for religious life and served as social and visual anchor points in the communities. But since the way of practicing faith is changing and remote areas are depopulated, churches in rural areas are often empty. The status of the church is changing.

Through a study of the church as an architectural icon and identification of the general public’s attribution of the church as both building and heritage, the project will provide a valuation of the existing cultural and architectural significance and the future potential of the churches. On this basis, the project aims to develop knowledge and strategies that will ensure the future development of the church buildings through full or partial function transformation, to regain, maintain or enhance their status as a place of gathering and a cohesive factor in rural communities, while safeguarding the cultural and architectural values of the church buildings.

Supervisors

• Professor Mogens A. Morgen
• Birgitte Graakjær Hjort, Centre for Pastoral Education and Research, Church of Denmark.