The contemporary role of historical churches, between appropriation, heritagization and abandonment processes

Abstract

Christian churches are the subject of continuous updating and adaptation processes, which only cease when communities are moving or disappearing. The study of abandoned, redundant and under-utilized ecclesiastical complexes therefore requires a historical analysis of extensive chronological arches, with specific attention to institutional dynamics and cultural values underlying the dynamics of capitalization. The contribution - after highlighting some specificities of the Church’s architectural agency and the formation of its cultural heritage (matter / action, transformation / conservation, use / memory, construction / reuse) - proposes four reflections of historiographical nature relating to the plurality of Ecclesial subjects active on the territory, the relationship between community life and institutional protection, the building of public opinion and the participation of communities.