Church Sites Research Articles

A Future Beyond the Impasse? Exploring Post-Conflict Religious Heritage

ABSTRACT With the alarming rise in intercommunal conflicts worldwide, knowledge regarding post-conflict cultural heritage issues must advance to help formulate effective management systems and policies. Through an Actor-Network Theory-inspired approach, this paper explores the actors’ role in protecting religious heritage sites abandoned by displaced communities. Discourse analysis of relevant literature and empirical data from exhaustive fieldwork documenting and categorising the use-status and preservation state of church sites from Northern Cyprus has revealed multiple networks of human and non-human actors and actants. Through ANT concepts of fact-building and translation, a flat platform has been developed showing the positions and interests of the conflicting parties with a focus on the neglected or underestimated dimensions of heritage protection. This platform allows heritage conservation to be viewed from a broader perspective and, in a sense, helps dilute the conflicting parties’ positions and make their stakes less critical. It also emphasises the importance of compromise solutions, including pragmatically negotiating potential alternative uses and actively integrating the local community with the stakeholder group to protect the heritage of the displaced communities.

Defining the sanctissimus

This article presents the results of a programme of investigation into vallum enclosures around known or suspected early Christian church sites in eastern Scotland. Survey and keyhole excavation results are reported on for four sites: Abersnithock, Aberdeenshire; Migvie, Aberdeenshire; Glamis, Angus; and Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross. At each site a combination of aerial survey, geophysics and evaluative excavation revealed rectilinear or curvilinear ditched enclosures centring on the position of the church, with radiocarbon dating showing these enclosures are of early medieval date. The significance of the church vallums are discussed, including their role as marking the sacred precincts of the early church and the significance of such large enclosures in the early medieval landscapes of Pictland. In addition to the early medieval results, the geophysical survey at Dunkeld revealed part of old Dunkeld town, which was burnt down and abandoned after the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689.

Testing the ‘Faith Moves Mountains model’ to increase Alzheimer’s disease awareness, detection, and diagnosis among rural, racially, and ethnically diverse older adults

Objectives Racially and ethnically diverse populations have recently contributed to the majority of rural and small-town growth. Consequently, the disproportionately high risk and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) among rural and minoritized older residents will likely increase. To address this threat, we tested the hypotheses that (1) a faith-based, resident-led approach would increase basic ADRD knowledge and diagnosis, and (2) older age, female gender, lower educational levels, and more years lived rural would predict number of referrals, new dementia diagnoses, and treatment. Methods An adaptation of Schoenberg’s Faith Moves Mountains model, previously successful in detection and management of other chronic illnesses in rural settings, guided this community-based participatory research. Local faith community members were trained as research assistants to recruit, administer surveys, conduct brief memory assessments, teach brain health strategies, and follow-up with residents. Outreaches were offered virtually during the pandemic, then in-person monthly at rotating church sites, and repeated ∼1 year later. Results This rural sample was racially and ethnically diverse (74.5% non-White), with 28% reporting eight or less years of formal education. Findings included that referrals and years lived rural were significant and positive predictors of new ADRD treatments [(b = 3.74, χ 2(1, n = 235) = 13.01, p < 0.001); (b = 0.02, χ 2(1, n = 235 = 3.93, p = 0.048)], respectively, regardless of participant characteristics. Conclusion Resident-led action research in rural, diverse, faith communities is a successful approach to increasing ADRD disease knowledge, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Facing up to the inevitable: the experience of flood events and lessons learnt at St Michael and All Angels’ Church in Tirley, South West England

In July 2007, a disastrous flood struck Gloucestershire, in the southwest of England. The Grade I listed church of St Michael and All Angels in Tirley was inundated, resulting in its interior and churchyard being extensively damaged. Despite the disastrous flooding and the distress caused, Tirley’s church congregation, supported by the local community, the insurance company and many historic building professionals, resolved to renew their church. Their traumatic experience has presented opportunities to make the building more fit for purpose and more resilient to future flood events. It has deepened a sense of belonging and the valuing of heritage in the community and has ensured the historical continuity of the church and its many stories. Proactive planning will play a major part in facing up to future climate change-related challenges at Tirley church. New research is being planned to examine the effectiveness of existing flood mitigation measures, the overall condition of the building fabric and the church site. The anticipated outcome of this work is a bespoke Flood Impact and Protection Management Plan which will include a set of recommendations, which can be adopted to bolster flood resilience of this historic church, as well as other churches dealing with similar challenges.

Reykjaholt Revisited: Representing Snorri in Sturla Þórðarson's Íslendinga saga

Reykjaholt Revisited: Representing Snorri in Sturla Þórðarson's <i>Íslendinga saga</i>

Eaves-drip burials in the Early Middle Ages: A special burial place for the unbaptised children?

The excavation of skeletal human remains from St. Dionysius in Bremerhaven-Wulsdorf showed a strong association between infant burials and their location in and around the church. Accumulations of young children close to a church and its corners are repeatedly reported and are commonly defined as "eaves-drip" burials. Although there are no early medieval written sources for this specific burial practice, the proximity of the graves of small children to the sites of early Christian churches is noticeable. Above all, the temporal context plays an important role in the interpretation of these burials, since it is questionable whether the intention to baptise the graves with rainwater from the eaves was the same for the Early Middle Ages as it was for the High and Post Middle Ages. The frequently observed relationship between locality and infant bones must not be regarded as an ordinary burial since the choice of burial place already indicates a special position within the graveyard. Particularly regarding the progress of Christianisation and thus the assertion of the Christian belief system in the early phases, it is essential to reflect on the people's real acceptance of Christian religious practices and rituals. It is therefore crucial to consider the circumstances and belief systems of the particular era before associating eaves-drip burials with the unbaptised child.

Kartlegging av middelalderske kirkesteder i Norge med Georadar:

An estimated 2000 churches are believed to have been built in Norway during the medieval period. Although many of the associated church sites are still in use, a considerable number have since been dissolved or moved. Thus, the location of more than 600 abandoned church sites is known, whilst several are only known through historical sources, place names and tradition. From a cultural heritage management viewpoint this is a challenge as the sites are often located in arable land and are therefore under constant threat from agricultural activities and natural erosion. Furthermore, the sites can be difficult to detect and map without resorting to expensive and intrusive methods. The aim of this paper is to discuss the use of ground-penetrating radar as a potential tool for the management of medieval church sites. We present the results from ground-penetrating radar surveys undertaken at Furulund, Hylestad and Habbarstad, and we highlight advantages and challenges in using this type of technology on abandoned church sites in rural settings.

Peer Group Support Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk for African American Men According to Life's Simple 7 in Faith-Based Communities.

Adverse cardiovascular health disparities persist for African American men. Although changing health behaviors is perhaps one of the most effective methods to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths, previous behavior change programs targeting single or multiple CVD risk factors in target groups have had mixed success. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether a multi-faceted peer group intervention model based on American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 was feasible, safe, acceptable, and efficacious in producing meaningful risk reduction for African American men. A convenience sample of 24 African American men with at least one CVD risk factor participated quasi-experimental study having peer intervention vs. nonequivalent comparison groups, with pretest-posttests at two church sites in Minneapolis, MN (MPLS) and Washington, D.C. (DC). Feasibility, safety, acceptability, and potential efficacy were assessed by examining completion of peer group sessions, adverse events, attendance, attrition, within and between-group changes in measures using nonparametric statistics. All twenty-four men completed the study with no study-related adverse symptoms and medical events. The peer groups had moderate to high attendance, and the peer program evaluation was highly positive among participants. Between baseline and 6-months, there were significant differences between the intervention and the comparison group in cholesterol levels and weights (p = .041, p = .034, respectively) at one site (DC). There were no significant between-group changes at the other site (MPLS). The multi-faceted peer support intervention was feasible, acceptable, and shown to have potential efficacy to reduce CVD risk for highly motivated African American men. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to test the effectiveness of this intervention model to reduce CVD risk among African American men.

Medievals and Moderns in Conversation: Co-Designing Creative Futures for Underused Historic Churches in Rural Communities

For many living in rural areas, the loss of traditional community assets and increased social fragmentation are a common feature of everyday life. The empty village church is a poignant symbol of these challenges; yet, these are sites that hold considerable potential for new placemaking solutions that respond to the needs of communities today. This means looking beyond “the traditional village church” to recognise a longer history of church adaptation and resilience within the lives of communities. In this paper we ask: how can co-design, projected through a Wicked problems and Clumsy solutions lens, help imagine new futures for communities and their historic churches today? Clumsy solutions consider a plurality of different perspectives on the nature of problems and their resolution to deliver more effective solutions with broad appeal. In the search for clumsiness, we turn to ‘long history’ and ‘slow technology’ for inspiration, uncovering deeper resonance with historical communities of place and anchoring that continuity within church sites themselves. Our paper demonstrates how Wicked/Clumsy thinking can account for the challenges faced by rural communities today, bootstrap co-design activities in the development of clumsy solutions, and uncover clumsiness in long history and slow technology dimensions—together laying the foundation for new placemaking strategies.

PENYEDIAAN SUMBER DAYA LISTRIK BERBASIS SOLAR SEL DI GEREJA GPDI BUKIT HERMON TO’ LIMBONG LEMBANG TONDON, KECAMATAN TONDON, KABUPATEN TORAJA UTARA

Without electrical energy, electronic equipment cannot be used as a work aid to meet human needs. The GPDI Church of the Bukit Hermon To' Limbong Congregation, is one of the houses of worship whose location is not yet reached by the PLN electricity network. To get electrical energy, it still takes a long time because they are waiting for the plan to add electricity to the church site. The church already has several electronic devices such as sound systems and pianos that were donated by the congregation. However, these tools cannot be used because electrical energy is not yet available in the church. To meet the electricity needs in the church, solar cell-based electrical energy is provided. Service activities are carried out using the method of applying solar cell technology by installing solar panels. The function of the solar panel is to convert solar energy into direct current electrical energy which is then converted into alternating current electrical energy. With the installation of a 160 Wp solar panel, the electricity source is already available, in the Bukit Hermon GPDI church so that the electric lighting in the church is lit during the day and at night. Electronic devices that have not been used before, can already be functioned properly when carrying out activities

How Did Early Church Sites Differ From One Another?: A Comparative Approach Within the Kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland

Early medieval Europe is characterised by a wide spectrum of church sites that contributed in distinct ways to the formation of communities and polities. However, it is challenging for archaeologists and historians to distinguish between them because they often employed the same basic ‘grammar’ in their layout and architecture, while most of them receive scant attention in the textual sources. It is argued that the most promising approach is a comparative one within a small, well-defined area, as this removes extraneous regional factors so that measurable variables primarily reflect the character, function, and relative importance of the church. This is illustrated by topographical and geophysical surveys of four examples in the northeast of the Irish kingdom of Fir Maige: a substantial landed monastery (Brigown), an ecclesiastical out-farm on its lands (Kildrum), a lesser landed church (Labbamolaga), and a royal community church (Killeenemer). New evidence is presented for the origins of the sites; for their scale, layout, and development; for habitation, agriculture and craft activity; and for ritual practice. This targeted comparative approach greatly refines our understanding of the specific niches they occupied within the settlement hierarchy.

An Interview with Elmer Beard: Remembrances of Black Activism, Communal Solidarity, and the Burning of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Context The oral history interview with Mr. Elmer Beard, a longtime political activist, politician, and educator, is part of a series of interviews for a study on Black church burnings, arsons, and vandalism from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Beard gives historical context to recent Black church arson with a focus on the mysterious burning of Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on 22 December 1963. On 9 March 2018, the interview took place in Hot Springs at the current church site. The dialogue starts with biographical questions and evolves into details about Mr. Beard’s experience growing up in a racially segregated society, particularly in south-central Arkansas.

A Perfect Church on Earth – The New Discovery of an Ancient Church Site in Tangchao Dun, China

Archaeologists have recently announced the discovery of a 7-9th Century church site in Tangchao Dun, 115 km north of Turpan, Xinjiang, China. From the two site photos released, it is evident that the church was a rare and perfect bema church belonging to an episcopal or archiepiscopal see of the Church of the East in the region.

The genesis and evolution of Anglican ecclesiastical architecture in British Yorubaland: postcolonial reflections

The analysis of Anglican religious spaces created in British West Africa has been neglected in architectural historiography. This article advances knowledge by investigating ecclesiastical architecture in British colonial Yorubaland (South-West Nigeria). A case study method, combining physical documentation of the existing church sites and a review of church compendiums and other documentation, has been employed to explore and explain in detail the history and formation of Anglican religious spaces. Our research produced new knowledge about the genesis and evolution of the typology, morphology, and visual representations of Anglican religious buildings, as well as the motivations and ideals of the people who commissioned, designed, and constructed them. This architectural journey approximately begins in the 1840s with the arrival of missionaries who initiated the construction of churches using the region’s traditional ephemeral mud-and-thatch structures. However, the British clergy on the ground assumed the role of ‘civilising’ the African communities, using the architecture of ecclesiastical space to shape the communal perceptions of architectural propriety. By the 1880s, they introduced brick-walled and iron-roofed hall-type churches. By the first half of the twentieth century, Anglican ecclesiastical architecture in Yorubaland was dominated by the Gothic Revival style in basilica typology, inspired mainly by Early English Gothic architecture. The article reveals how the architectural and technological transfers from the West continued synchronously with evangelism to create the prescribed image of the Anglican church in Yorubaland. This played a significant role in consolidating British imperial power, as happened elsewhere in the British Empire.

Analysis of self-efficacy for stroke recognition and action from a cluster randomised trial evaluating the effects of stroke education pamphlets versus a 12-minute culturally tailored stroke film among Black and Hispanic churchgoers in New York

Background: Because early recognition of symptoms and timely treatment of stroke can reduce mortality and the long-term effects of such events, efforts to make many people both aware of these symptoms and knowledgeable about what to do when recognising them are critical for reducing impacts from stroke. Objectives: To assess the impact of a stroke preparedness film (intervention) and stroke preparedness pamphlets (usual care) on self-efficacy for stroke recognition and action. Design: Two-arm cluster randomised trial conducted between July 2013 and August 2018. Setting: A total of 13 church sites located in economically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods in New York. Of the 883 churchgoers approached, 503 expressed interest, 375 completed eligibility screening and 312 were randomised. Participant inclusion criteria were Black or Hispanic churchgoers, aged 34 years or older, without stroke history, but at a high risk for stroke. The intervention consisted of two 12-minute stroke films: Gospel of Stroke, in English for Black participants, and Derrame Cerebral, in Spanish for Hispanic participants. Method: Participants were pre–post-tested (at baseline, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up) for self-efficacy. Descriptive analysis, a linear mixed model and t tests were used to assess the effects of a stroke preparedness film and stroke preparedness pamphlets on self-efficacy. Results: Findings are based on intention-to-treat analysis. A total of 310 participants completed the study (99% retention rate). About half (53.8%) of participants were Black and 46.2% Hispanic in the intervention group; 48.3% were Black and 51.7% were Hispanic in the usual care group. Overall, both groups evidenced higher self-efficacy (i.e. lower predicted means) over time ( p &lt; .0001), although a significant benefit was not observed for the intervention relative to usual care. Conclusion: Both stroke preparedness films and stroke preparedness pamphlets improved self-efficacy with respect to stroke recognition and action among minority churchgoers.

Surplus sacred space: Reflections on the impending glut of US church property

Dramatically more churches will close in the US over the next decade as the numbers of self-identified Christians declines, the COVID-19 pandemic inflicts financial pain and the large number of church buildings become unwieldy. Churches that wish to survive must examine alternate uses for much of their overbuilt real estate. Congregations, developers and municipalities must be ready for how to redevelop empty church sites and how to convert existing churches to mixed use. Municipal agencies and developers must understand how to deal with churches, given the special nature of their mission and their decentralised management structures. This paper discusses how it is in the best interests of churches, developers and communities to plan for alternate uses of church properties. It concludes that collaboration on church redevelopment and repurposing will result in significant benefits for all involved. Brief case studies of four churches are presented, with relevant questions.

The 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence: linear and non-linear interpretation models for damage evolution in S. Agostino’s church in Amatrice

An extensive numerical investigation of the structural behavior of the masonry church of Sant’Agostino in Amatrice (Italy) during the 2016–2017 seismic sequence is presented. The seismic performance of the church is studied in relation to the most energetic shocks of the sequence, occurred on August 24th, 2016, and October 30th, 2016, whose seismic parameters (PGA, Trifunac duration, Arias intensity, destructiveness potential factor) are analyzed in detail. In particular, a comparison between ground motion data recorded by different stations is presented in order to evaluate the influence of local amplification effects on the structural behavior. To achieve this goal, the ground motion data recorded by the permanent accelerometric station (AMT) located in Amatrice on type B soil and belonging to the National Accelerometric Network (RAN) are firstly considered. Then, they are critically compared with those provided by an accelerometric station temporarily installed after the first main shock in the downtown area close to the church site, showing a clear amplification due to the site effects. The dynamic behavior of S. Agostino’s church is numerically investigated by carrying out a set of non-linear dynamic analyses on the 3D finite element model of the church developed in Abaqus CAE and considering as seismic input both the accelerograms recorded by the AMT fixed station and those including the local amplification effects. Non-linear properties of materials are taken into account by defining an elasto-plastic constitutive law with reasonable damage parameters in tension. Numerical results are evaluated in terms of displacement time-history of some relevant control points located on the masonry walls and maps of tensile damage cumulated at the end of the simulations. Numerical results are in good agreement with the evidence based behavior of the structure, thus validating numerical simulations as effective tools for seismic analysis of masonry buildings. Furthermore, a hypothetical strengthening intervention concerning the improvement in masonry mechanical properties is implemented in the model to investigate its positive role in preventing collapse. In the latter case, the approach provides useful hints in interpreting the behavior of the church under the application of repeated accelerograms.

Better Me Within Randomized Trial: Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Weight Loss in African American Women.

Previous DPP translations in African American women have been suboptimal. This trial evaluated a community-based participatory research developed faith-based diabetes prevention program (DPP) to improve weight loss in African American women. This cluster randomized trial allocated churches to faith-based (FDPP) or standard (SDPP) DPP interventions. Setting. African American churches. Subjects. Eleven churches with 221 African American women (aged 48.8 ± 11.2 years, BMI = 36.7 ± 8.4) received the FDPP (n = 6) or SDPP (n = 5) intervention. FDPP incorporated 5 faith-based components, including pastor involvement, into the standard DPP curriculum. The SDPP used the standard DPP curriculum. Lay health leaders facilitated interventions at church sites. Weight and biometrics were collected by blinded staff at baseline, 4- and 10-months. A multilevel hierarchical regression model compared the FDPP and SDPP groups on outcomes. FDPP and SDPP churches significantly lost weight at 10-months (overall -2.6%, p < .01). Women in FDPP churches who attended at least 15 sessions lost an additional 6.1 pounds at 4-months compared to SDPP corresponding to a 5.8% reduction at 10-months (p < .05). Both groups had significant improvements in health behaviors and biometrics. Faith-based and standard DPP interventions led by lay health leaders successfully improved weight, health behaviors, and chronic disease risk. However, the faith-based DPP when fully implemented met the CDC's recommendation for weight loss for diabetes prevention in African American women.

Archeological research in graves of the Church of Saint Elisabeth of Jilemnice, in the light of environmental analysis

Abstract Archaeological research in the area of the chateau park uncovered the relic of the Gothic church of St. Elisabeth, dated to the second half of the 13 th century. It is a single-nave building with a rectangular finish (length 25 m, boat width 13 m, presbytery width 10.5 m). The church probably had an older predecessor - a wooden structure on a stone foundation, dating from the mid-13 th century. At the same time, the church site was a burial place: a grave of a young woman and a 1.5-year-old child, dated 13 th /14 th century were found outside the presbytery wall. In the presbytery, there were 3 graves of men dating back to the 14 th century. It is very likely that these are the Lords of the Wallenstein family. Archaeological research in graves in the Church of St. Elisabeth unearthed a small collection of animal bone remains. The occurrence of bones of young and mature cattle and domestic fowls, which are abundant in the archaeozoological assemblage, indicates the prevailing meat consumption of these animals. The butchering marks on their bones document removal of meat from the carcasses.

Promoting congregant health in faith-based organizations across Los Angeles County, 2013-2016.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) launched the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) Project in fall 2013. As the local arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), this project partnered with faith-based organizations (FBOs) in Los Angeles County to implement policy, systems, and environmental change interventions (PSEs) at selected church sites, alongside the usual delivery of health education.A 2-part programmatic assessment was conducted to better understand how the NEOP Faith Based Project at one of the FBOs was implemented during the 2013–2016 SNAP-Ed funding cycle. A qualitative component (key informant interviews) sought to understand and describe the PSE implementation process at each of the participating church sites, whereas the quantitative component (surveys) focused on assessing congregant perceptions about their awareness of the PSEs, their knowledge and beliefs about health, and their self-reported health behaviors after exposure to onsite changes.Among congregants who participated in the survey, 52% expressed desire for more health education classes. However, only 37% reported being aware of them at church sites that hosted them. When asked to compare their behaviors for “today” versus 6 months ago, more than half reported greater interest in eating more fruits and vegetables (66%), choosing water over soda (69%), and becoming more physically active (59%).Results from the NEOP Project have implications for how local health departments could partner with FBOs to outreach and promote health among congregants, particularly for those who are at high-risk of diet-related diseases due to poor nutrition and obesity.