This scholarly article argues that storytelling can be used to re-engage communities with historic church buildings in an increasingly secularized Europe. The author, Justin Kroesen, uses his experience co-authoring two books on historic churches in the northern Netherlands to illustrate how churches can be understood as “3D history books” that tell religious, local, and global stories. He highlights the unique qualities of historic churches— their distinctness from other buildings, their age, and their beauty—as compelling features that can attract diverse audiences. The article emphasizes the importance of researching and sharing the stories of churches to preserve them as cultural and religious heritage, reminding communities of their past, present, and future.
SOURCE
Citation: Kroesen, Justin E. A. 2021.
“This Is My Place”. (Hi)Storytelling
Churches in the Northern
Netherlands. Religions 12: 702.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090702