Lidköping can sell churches - too few visitors come to the services

During Tuesday night, the church councilor took what is called an alignment decision. This means that the congregation is given a green light to sell both the Mariakyrkan and the Sigfrid Church if you wish, and the decision is valid until 2030.

The two churches are from the 1960s and 1970s when they invested heavily in building according to the concept of "the church in the middle of the village", as part of new districts in Sweden where urban planning also made room for various social functions.

But now you don't need the churches anymore, according to the congregation, as fewer and fewer people attend church and you have to save money.

According to church pastor Karin Enerbäck, they are waiting for "signals from the municipality" that may become the next owner of the churches. When that happens, you don't know.

- We will see how we can ensure that the churches become premises that continue to benefit society.

So choppy individuals can put down their wallets, you mean?

- We will see that in the future, as it will be a negotiation later when we decide to actually sell.

There are currently no clauses in the decision that limit who or who will ultimately buy the churches - if they are sold.

The operation and maintenance of the churches cost the congregation about SEK 1.5 million per year, money that the congregation wants to save. In addition, it is believed that it can give a welcome rattle in the cash register for the congregation.

"We need to streamline, without becoming robots," says church pastor Karin Enerbäck, who is church pastor.

Opening up for a possible sale means you don't have to alert people.

- As one is forced to do in Umeå, for example. Now we need to look ahead and be brave when it blows, she says.

The personnel force that exists in the churches today is worried about the future, and Karin Enerbäck describes it as part of the change process.

- But it's like moving from big to small. First, one wonders how to fit. Then you feel it was pretty nice, she says.

In contrast, stands the city's third church; St. Nicolaic Church, for a brighter future. There, a renovation awaits because the congregation is obliged to preserve the church for future generations, according to the Cultural Environment Act.

- Some might be worried that the money from a sale will go to the renovation. But it's not. The renovation money is earmarked, and has been around long before, says Karin Enerbäck.