renovate their buildings<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhen de Villiers first started working with underused church buildings, they were being sold at a rapid pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis loss \u2026 resulted in a permanent change to the skylines in the built form of our cities; beautiful spires were replaced with condos made of steel and glass,\u201d he told a crowd in Cambridge, Ont., at a launch event for Releven Realty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, there was another loss \u2026 the social glue and the fabric that these buildings did to support these communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Church buildings often house clubs, service organizations, food banks and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, he told the crowd. When they leave, all these other organizations risk losing their space.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision to sell \u2026 faith properties is one that can\u2019t be taken lightly,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Solutions agnostic\u2019<\/p>\n
St. James\u2019 spent a decade making plans to leave their historic, 1880s-era building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When, in 2023, St. James\u2019 began considering buying an empty storefront in downtown Ingersoll, they contacted Releven for advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Most church members do not have expertise in buying and renovating properties for worship, says Watson. Watson is one of St. James\u2019 two wardens, people tasked with managing the church\u2019s property and finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
St. James\u2019 ultimately hired de Villiers to be the project manager for the renovations of the downtown storefront. When unexpected challenges arose, he advised them on the most cost-efficient way forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe relationship with Releven basically just made it all doable, because \u2026\u00a0 many of us would have struggled with a lot of the decision making,\u201d Watson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Congregations often struggle to navigate the best way forward when they are considering selling a building, says de Villiers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Architects may tell them that renovations will attract newcomers. Developers may encourage them to sell parts of a building for a profit. And real estate agents may tell them to sell all of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Releven is \u201csolutions agnostic,\u201d said Christopher Trotman, Releven\u2019s director of communications.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go into a situation, we listen and we try to discover what is best for the community, what is best for the congregation, and what is best for the property.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a fee, Releven consults with congregations and their communities to determine a solution that benefits everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sometimes, this means turning church buildings into community hubs where several nonprofits share space. Other times, it may mean selling all or part of a property.<\/p>\n
For those that choose to sell, Releven Realty connects clients with real estate agents who are experts in the local market. Releven Realty splits a commission with the agents it refers; its earnings go back into supporting Releven\u2019s work across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Increasing hope<\/p>\n
Most of Releven\u2019s clients are churches, but it works with various faith groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is helping a Montreal synagogue increase its rental income. In Edmonton, it just helped three mosques find a home for Friday night prayers \u2014 inside one of the city\u2019s oldest churches.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Releven can also work with Legion buildings and other under-utilized service club spaces.<\/p>\n
Releven\u2019s goal is not always to sell a building. Earlier this year, it began managing rental bookings for St. Peter\u2019s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Ont.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For years, the congregation \u2014 which currently has about 50 regular attendees \u2014 has struggled to manage its building, which was originally constructed in 1887.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had different ideas over the years to try to redevelop some of the property,\u201d said Alex Black, the church secretary.<\/p>\n
Many organizations rent space from the church. On Sundays alone, three congregations besides St. Peter\u2019s worship there at different times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But this past spring, the church hired Releven to help them find more tenants. So far, Releven has secured a hockey group and two different counselling agencies. Releven also renegotiated the contract with the Boy Scouts, long-time users of the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll be a revenue stream coming that we can use to pay bills, but also do some repairs,\u201d said Black. Already, the rental income has helped fund the repair of the church\u2019s front steps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the greatest restoration Black sees is in the morale of the congregation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Black, 64, is one of St. Peter\u2019s younger members, but his life is intertwined with the building. He was baptized there as an infant, attended Sunday School, and now attends with his wife.\u00a0 Watching membership decline has been \u201ckind of depressing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The new rentals have injected new life into the congregation, he says. Maybe it is because the income helped repair stairs and stained glass windows. Or perhaps, the new revenue is a sign of hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople seem happy,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re positive. They feel good about seeing things happen and hopefully just improving.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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