WHEN A CHURCH CLOSES or relocates into a new space, what happens to the former house of worship? That depends on the community, the market, the condition of the building and more.
In Vesta, the old St. John’s Lutheran Church was repurposed into apartments when my home congregation constructed a new sanctuary on the southeast edge of town in the early 1970s. In Faribault, where I have lived since 1984, a boutique, craft and gift shop, Nook & Cranny, fills the old St. Lawrence Catholic Church. In nearby Dundas, craft beer is served inside a former historic chapel at a brewery aptly named Chapel Brewing. A former Methodist church in neighboring Waseca houses the Waseca County History Center. Up in Fargo, North Dakota, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is now home to the Sanctuary Events Center, where I attended my friend Hannah’s wedding and reception.
Then there’s the old All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville a half hour to the north along Interstate 35. In 2001, the vacated massive 1932 brick building became the Lakeville Area Arts Center Performing Arts Building. If an aged church is no longer a church, then I can think of no better reuse than as a center for creativity, a sanctuary for creatives.
Often these old churches have been built by skilled craftsmen who’ve incorporated art into the construction. Stained glass windows. Sculptures. Ornate wood carvings. Repurposing a church as an art center seems reverently fitting.
Recently I visited the Lakeville arts center inside that old Catholic church. The worship space has been transformed into a theater, complete with 300 tiered seats rising high in the long, narrow building. Stained glass windows remain, a visual reminder that parishioners once gathered here.
Today concerts and live theater take place here. And in other parts of the building are art galleries, rehearsal and meeting rooms and more. I think the saints would celebrate this usage of their sacred space in the absence of a place of worship.
As I meandered through the arts center, viewing student art featured in gallery exhibits, other art and those stained glass windows, I felt the spirit of creativity.
Outside, sculptures like “Bruce the Moose” and a “Creative Endeavors” mural visually mark this as an arts center. The artwork is part of Lakeville’s public art scattered on the grounds and about town.
Next to the performing arts building, creatives also gather in the former Alternative Learning Center, now home to the 11,000 square foot Fine Arts Building. Inside are ceramics studios, classrooms for glass, fiber arts and painting, rehearsal space, student galleries, an art shop, and more.
I love the arts. And when I discover a place like the Lakeville Area Arts Center, I feel connected as a creative myself. The arts ought always to be celebrated. They entertain us, move us, speak for us, allow us to express ourselves, bring us together in community and, oh, so much more.
Personally, I cannot image my life without writing and photography, my creative outlets, my life’s work. Or, more correctly, my life’s passion because neither ever feels like work.
TELL ME: What are your thoughts on the arts and/or on repurposing of a vacated church into an arts center or something else?
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Perfect use ! I have seen many churches turned into residences, breweries, restaurants and thrift type shops. It’s nice when they are repurposed. I love Bruce the Moose!
Repurposed rather than demolished is my preference also. Yes, Bruce the Moose is lovable art.
There is St. Hubert Catholic Church in Chanhassen. It is 130 years old and one of the few historic buildings left in the town – maybe the only one. It has been vacant for years and needs a lot of work. It could serve the community well with new uses such as a museum or art center. I don’t know what’s been happening lately and if anything has been decided. Churches that are no longer churches can be and should be repurposed.
Thanks for sharing about St. Hubert in Chanhassen. Hopefully a reuse can be found for it. Thanks also for mentioning museums. I’ve updated this post to include the Waseca County History Center, housed in a former Methodist Church.
With more church closures, more and more churches are on the market. Most are well built, historical (as you say) and should be saved when possible.
I like the idea of repurposing a church. And an art center is a great idea since a lot of churches are a piece of art themselves.
Exactly why I feel a church repurposed as an art center is a fitting use of the building.
This sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
And it’s only a short drive to Lakeville.
I think it is such a wonderful idea, as I see churches as sanctuaries and the arts as sanctuaries as well, although in another form. to me, this makes perfect sense and is a natural transition for such beautiful settings.
Both are, indeed, sanctuaries. And the need for sanctuary these days is great.
last night I went to a church here in Ann Arbor to listen to four minnesotans who came to talk about what they had been through, and continue to go through, in your state. they talked about how they had organized to help people in different ways, how it changed over time, and how they had to adapt as things happened. as you shared, it is not over, it has just gone more under the radar. a couple of them said that they took on more than they had expected at the beginning, and became stronger than they knew they ever were. they also talked about the importance of self care, music, art, family, friends, humor, and trying to live life through it all. some of it was sad, some was angry, very powerful and human, and all of it was incredibly inspiring. the sanctuary was full of people who all came together for different reasons and the guests stayed after to talk, to listen and to answer questions. we donated money to support them in their work to help pay their expenses to share their stories. we so appreciated their openness in showing us what is possible, even in dire circumstances when people come together.
Beth, thank you for telling me about this event. I wish I had been there to hear their stories directly rather than filtered through a media lens. I hope they will do the same in Minnesota, especially greater Minnesota. If you have any info on this group who came to talk, can you please email me? Thanks.
yes, I’ll get the name of their group
Thank you!
A former Lutheran church in Glenwood, MN is now hosting yoga sessions, sound immersion and vibration therapy (e.g., tuning forks and Himalayan bowls), and more. Its name: The Sanctuary. For a conservative, small town in western MN, it seems to be doing very well.
I’m glad you added that last sentence because I would NOT have expected this business to do well in Glenwood for the reason you list.