These Abandoned, Decaying Churches Are Proof That Religion is Dying Across Europe

By Mark McConville

EERIE images of abandoned churches across Europe have captured the demise of Christianity on the continent.

The haunting pictures show once-bustling places of worship now lying empty and unloved with Mother Nature beginning to reclaim many of the buildings.

Other incredible photographs show that some of the churches have retained their allure with beautiful painted ceilings and intricate marble designs.

The striking shots were taken all over Europe by self-proclaimed ‘urban-obsessed’ photographer Roman Robroek (31), from Heerlen, the Netherlands.

In this series, Roman has captured the beauty in abandoned buildings of religious worship and he believes each place tells their own story.

“Chapels and churches are among my favourite abandoned places to visit because of the secrecy of what’s going on ‘behind’ the altar,” he said.

“Some of these buildings were a walk in the park to gain access. Everything was open and no-one was looking after it anymore.

“Others were harder. The hardest one was where I had to climb over a high brick wall, crawl through a tiny hole and fight my way through the bushes while not trying to be seen by other people.”

A report, Europe’s Young Adults and Religion, produced by Professor Stephen Bullivant at St Mary’s University in London in March 2018 found that a majority of young people in a dozen countries do not follow a religion.

The survey of 16- to 29-year-olds found the Czech Republic is the least religious country in Europe, with 91% of that age group saying they have no religious affiliation. Between 70% and 80% of young adults in Estonia, Sweden and the Netherlands also categorise themselves as non-religious.

The most religious country is Poland, where 17% of young adults define themselves as non-religious, followed by Lithuania with 25%.

In the UK, only 7% of young adults identify as Anglican, fewer than the 10% who categorise themselves as Catholic. Young Muslims, at 6%, are on the brink of overtaking those who consider themselves part of the country’s established church.