I've noticed that there seems to be an increasing number of buildings (mixed-use, offices, stores, even factories) that have been converted to religious purposes. I don't mean to offend anyone, but it seems like this is becoming a trend in some areas toward a "God Economy" and has replaced other wealth-producing activities like retailing, warehousing and manufacturing. I've seen storefronts turned into churches. Huge grocery stores turned into religious wellness centers. And industrial plants turned into ministries.

 

Here are two examples I saw recently during a visit to Canton for a meeting. Perhaps the largest building that has "found God" is the former Hoover plant in North Canton. It is now Faith Family Church http://www.ohio.com/news/faith-family-church-opens-in-renovated-former-hoover-factory-1.1059?ot=akron.PhotoGalleryLayout.ot&s=1.175812, although some manufacturing has returned to part of the plant....

 

 

 

 

Then, on West Tuscarawas Street, between I-77 and downtown Canton, is this large former grocery store that has turned into the Trinity Gospel Temple. I wonder what this store used to be?....

 

 

 

Anyone see any other recent examples of such transitions for former commercial buildings, public schools or other non-religious buildings that have "found" religion? I think it would make an interesting study on the repurposing of buildings, where they are occurring most frequently in Ohio (big cities, small towns, north central, south, etc), and what socio-economic indicators/trends this suggests for society.

I worked at the movie theater across from Kings Island for about 4 years (originally a Showcase Cinemas, but bought out by Rave in the final ~2 years of operations). The theater closed because a church who was operating out of Kings High School decided to purchase the building and turn it into some kind of church where you watched the events on a screen. Not entirely sure how that is panning out for them, but they had the cash to buy the building and the theater closed because of it.

KJP,

 

Just for some clarification, that Faith Family Church building isn't housed at "the Hoover plant". The main Hoover building is in downtown North Canton (and yes, it is being redeveloped). The building off I-77 that is shown, while probably a Hoover warehouse or distribution center at one point, is actually not even in North Canton, but Jackson Township. The original Hoover plant is pretty impressive:

 

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/9385421@N08/7081828319/

 

http://www.cardcow.com/337292/hoover-company-north-canton-ohio/

 

A rendering of the redevelopment:

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=hoover+plant+north+canton&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=644&tbm=isch&tbnid=SQegoLIsbD42tM:&imgrefurl=http://www.wksu.org/news/story/21763&docid=jHdaU3zJF8C8LM&imgurl=http://www.wksu.org/news/images/21763/Hoover4.JPG&w=640&h=480&ei=cqpJUKnvMsLa0QGru4CoDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=612&vpy=237&dur=493&hovh=192&hovw=257&tx=120&ty=78&sig=105289005373250583724&page=2&tbnh=144&tbnw=197&start=18&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:20,s:18,i:197

 

 

I drive by the Trinity Gospel Temple everyday, though I couldn't tell you what grocery store was there before. However, the more bizarre example of reuse is the PayDay Loans that opened up at the former Wendy's across the street. Can't find a picture, but yes, you can now get a super high-interest loan in the same aisle you used to order a junior double cheesburger.

Actually, the closing of St. Pauls Catholic Church on.. maybe E30th and Euclid has forced the congregation to gather in a converted industrial building at E71st and Euclid.

 

http://preview.tinyurl.com/9p9g8vn

Let's face it-- it's "showtime, folks," and bigger and better digs are becoming absolutely necessary to attract the new, nano-second attention-span throngs who will drop big bucks to be entertained.  But, then again, that's not all bad.  Many of these new mega-churches not only entertain the masses, but also conduct mission work that does help a lot of needy people.  (And, besides that, they are great places to socialize and enjoy some decent coffee...all in the name of love and a religion transforming itself right out of existence.)

My grandparents' church--a Baptist congregation that was relatively new at the time--went through a campaign to grow.  I remember attending a service with them in a gymnasium that was part of some sort of community center. (I can't really remember what the building was)  Then, as their numbers grew, they moved to a commercial space, (quite possibly the same space now occupied by Trinity Gospel on W. Tusc.) while they saved up to build a building of their own.