The business of selling off old churches

From Philadelphia-

Every year, about 7,000 churches in the United States close their doors, the Christian ministers' organization Pastoral Care estimates. In some cases, members' numbers have declined, and those who remain cannot support the considerable cost of maintaining the buildings.

Many are architectural gems in residential neighborhoods built 100 years ago, when money bought far more stone and stained glass than it does today.

Some church structures are being acquired by growing denominations, or congregations established by new immigrant groups. But more than a few are allowed to decay, or are being razed and the land put to secular uses.

More here-

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20140803_The_business_of_selling_off_old_churches.html