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Revitalizing village churches: cinema and culture for rural communities!
On November 7th, 2025, network meetings will take place in northwest Mecklenburg to reuse village churches for cultural purposes.
Revitalizing village churches: cinema and culture for rural communities!
Something exciting is happening in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: the Protestant church is laying the foundation for a new era of village churches. Under the motto “Village church – something is happening!” The aim is to shake up the traditionally tranquil environment of churches in rural regions. From today, November 7th, 2025, church building associations, communities and initiative groups have the opportunity to present their ideas at a network meeting in Kuppentin. The decline in the number of visitors to church services makes it necessary to break new ground. Loud NDR No fewer than 900 village churches in the region are at risk, and creative usage concepts are intended to help preserve these cultural treasures.
But how could these churches be used in the future? A look at the suggestions shows a colorful potpourri of ideas: from cinemas to exhibitions to yoga in church - everything is conceivable and desired. There are already some flagship projects, such as the village church history museum in Gallin-Kuppentin and the Low German church center in Klein Trebbow, which offers events in Low German. Such initiatives in rural areas could not only breathe new life into the churches, but also strengthen the village community.
The challenges of rural communities
The difficulties facing small communities cannot be underestimated. In Brandenburg the number of church members has been shrinking for years, which poses a serious challenge to the preservation of churches. Many of these places of worship could be saved from decay by converting them into public meeting places in the village. In the first Village church meeting From 2021 in Prenzlau, eight theses have already been formulated to secure the village churches. The exchange between communities and experts about new approaches and usage ideas is essential for the future.
The second village church conference in 2023, which was expanded to include a summer academy for students, showed that young people are also looking for creative solutions to the challenges. Together, students developed concepts for five small village churches in Prignitz, which have the potential to become lively cultural centers. This kind of commitment is needed if we want to keep our rural areas alive!
Innovative usage ideas and new opportunities
The churches as a place of culture? Why not! More and more communities are considering reinterpreting their churches and opening them up for events that enrich village life. Be it a cinema evening in the village church or an exhibition by local artists - the opportunity to rethink church is there. With the support of the Protestant Church, these ideas could also be put into practice.
Does this mean that we will be able to experience our village churches alive again in the future? It will be exciting to see how the ideas from today's event in Kuppentin take shape and whether it will be possible to bring people back to the churches. One thing is certain: the social and cultural functions of the churches must not be forgotten!