St Mark's Church in Mayfair turned into a food hall

[successstories]

I was quite uncomfortable to see this former place of worship being turned into a food hall.

There was something disturbing about spaghetti and pizza being dished up in front of all the religious objects and imagery (which are very prominent, still in situ and pretty much intact)

Isn't there a Christian organisation that could have ensured this building was preserved for a more suitable use? If this had happened to a Synagogue or a Mosque for example, there would have been outrage.

AIBU?

I've seen cafes in churches. Some churches get turned into houses, or mosques. Ultimately, the congregations and funds aren't there to sustain them, so they have to be adapted for other uses. Although I wouldnt expect the altar and crucifixes still to be up.

Oh give over op!

I went through Catholic schools without ever being religious- I've never wanted to be part of organised religion, but the buildings are so cool, I love stained glass and I like the statues they feel historical and important. So I really like being in the deconsecrated buildings, the architechture is often really nice, especially in the old ones.
I love when ex churches get reused into something else, my friend lives in one that is now flats and its lovely in there.
As long as they aren't using the statues as stands to hold bowls of soup, then I think its nice that they have stayed, surely the purpose of a statue is to be looked at? More people will see them now

My great grandfather was vicar there and I’m pleased that the building is still accessible to all

Is it though?

It was almost 40 degrees and people were forbidden from going in with even bottles of water, as they were expected to purchase* *food and drink inside. It doesn't seem the focus is on 'accessibility' TBH

Because it matters that:

a) you are a practising Christian or not (it's the reduced number of Christians interested in organised religion that is making church buildings redundant).

b) if you are so interested in preserving church buildings as active church communities then I would assume you are using an old church building near you. If you aren't then you can't really complain that a church closed for many years is being used as something else.

I would also like to know what denomination you are part of. It makes a difference. RC makes your views more understandable, even if I don't agree.

I don't go to London much and have no interest in visting an ex church. I've eaten in ex churches and stayed in ex chapels. I know it doesn't bother me.

I live near a former church that is being converted into flats, another that is now part of the university's drama department, and not one, but two that are used as cinemas. I also used to live near a former synagogue that is now a carpet warehouse. I'm guessing the OP will ignore that latter point though because it doesn't fit in with their bigotry narrative.

I feel like Jesus would appreciate a good food hall

YABU

Oh please. Grasping at straws springs to mind.

Quelle horreur, a restaurant where people are expected to purchase food and drinks.

IS OP going to apologise for her repeated assertions about other religions now that theyve been shown to be completely untrue?

Yes, he did seem to be very food orientated.

I think my DH's grandfather who was born in stepney green is very happy he doesn''t live in the East End anymore ! He is now a member of wembley synagogue!

Most synagogues on that list seem to be in places that are not popular with jewish people anymore; which is why, OP, we wouldn't be sad about those synagogues being repurposed when we no longer live there?

Im more concerned with the loss of 'potential worshippers' from Central London- ie the lack of affordable housing, and the amount of (£££££) houses that stand eternally empty, kept only as a way of safely housing funds.

My GGrandparents were married there. I believe there have been all sorts of plans for it in recent decades but none have panned out.

I would prefer the building to remain, but it’s irrelevant to me what the use is - though I would prefer a use that benefits the local community rather than a nightclub for example.

A church near my university was turned into a club. As a catholic I managed not to have a fit of the vapours because the building was better used than in disrepair or full of rats and the like.

The former church hall my sister used to work in that got turned into flats however..... BIG NOPE as it was very clearly haunted 😂😂😂

Yes, he did enjoy feeding large groups.

One of the most historic churches in my home city has been turned into a nightclub and casino.
That felt a bit much.
Shops, cafes flats I am not bothered about. Although maybe because I'm not particularly religious.

Local to me there are loads of old churches converted to other uses (it is a city that one day was known for having a lot of churches). I think it’s great, beautiful buildings being put to good use. Off the top of my head I can think of a couple of cafes, Childrens play cafe, pub, live music venue, dance studio, theatre and wedding venue near me. I also know of a great old church further afield that is now a residential centre, generally hired out to youth groups. So much better to use these buildings than let them sit empty decaying.

Why are you ignoring all the people who've pointed out that your lazy dogwhistle racism is simply wrong?

You've been given many, many examples of former synagogues that are now put to different uses.

But you haven't acknowledged a single one of the posters who took the time to do the research you could have done.

Why?

But that's the point - it literally isn't sacred. It's just a building, the Church has taken steps to make it just that.

@bingotime Dogwhistle (OED)- a subtly aimed political message which is intended for, and can only be understood by, a particular demographic group.

In this case the "dogwhistle" is her pretend outrage at a former Christian church being deconsecrated and used for a commercial venture. The OP's assertion that this would cause anger and upset among Muslim or Jewish people if the same happened with a mosque or synagogue, and her refusal to engage with the many people who have pointed out that this is completely false, indicates that the real meaning of her message is not to protect Christian church buildings, but rather to insinuate that Muslims and Jews get some sort of special consideration that she feels Christians should have instead. Because she's a bigot.

Hope that helps!

Looks amazing, I'm definitely going to pop by. Also, there's flats on the road where I work that used to be a church, looks so cool just from the outside, would love to have a look around the inside.

It's a building like any other, even if it holds significance for you.

Although it’s a commercial concern, I do agree with Pp who say that Jesus was about feeding the hungry, providing rest and refreshment to the weary and welcoming everyone. Surely this food venture has a lot of that.

St Matthews church in Brixton has got a club in the basement
it’s been there for decades, happily co-existing with the church above