How can the numerous church buildings in Saxony-Anhalt be preserved in the future, given that financial resources are becoming scarcer and their use is changing? This is the question addressed by the symposium “Matrix Reloaded,” hosted by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and the State Office for Monument Preservation Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt on September 4, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Christuskirche in Halle (Saale). There, the results of the joint project “Church as Cultural Heritage—Preserving and Revitalizing Church Buildings in Saxony-Anhalt” will be presented and discussed with representatives from the church, Monument Preservation Management, academia, and the field. Interested parties are warmly welcome.
The focus will be on the question of what transparent criteria can be used to evaluate church buildings in the future and how public funding can be allocated as effectively as possible. Lectures and workshops will explore various perspectives on this topic, addressing issues such as resources, community, and meaning.
The project’s starting point is the development of a scientifically sound yet practical evaluation framework for church buildings in Saxony-Anhalt. This joint initiative by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and the State Office for Monument Preservation Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt examines how state funding can be used as effectively as possible in the future for the preservation and restoration of churches. To this end, the building stock is being systematically surveyed, evaluated, and analyzed in relation to one another based on various criteria. The goal is not to select specific individual buildings, but rather to establish a robust foundation for future decisions.
This effort is driven by the growing challenge of ensuring the long-term preservation of the extensive stock of church buildings. Saxony-Anhalt’s register of historic monuments lists approximately 2,400 churches and chapels. At the same time, church-related uses are declining in many places. Reasons for this include demographic change, a shortage of young clergy, as well as declining membership and financial resources within the churches.
“Churches shape Saxony-Anhalt’s cultural heritage in a unique way. They bear witness to the state’s history, to architectural and artistic developments, and foster a sense of identity in towns and villages. Furthermore, they are important areas of activity for the skilled trades, tourist attractions, and indispensable venues for social interaction,” emphasizes Professor Karin Berkemann, project director at the Department of Architecture, Facility Management and Geoinformation at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
The symposium will take place at the Christuskirche in Halle, a historic, Expressionist clinker-brick building dating from 1926–27. Under the name “Bürgerhaus Christuskirche,” the building combines church life with cultural, educational, and social programs and serves as a prime example of new ways to utilize historic church buildings.
Participation in the symposium is free of charge and open to all interested parties. Since the number of participants is limited, please register by August 27, 2026, by emailing Elisabeth Klopf at elisabeth.klopf@hs-anhalt.de .
The event is recognized as five continuing education hours in accordance with the Continuing Education Regulations of the Saxony-Anhalt Chamber of Architects.
