IS CHRISTIANITY DYING IN U.S. AS THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES CLOSE?

Mon 06 October 2025:

The United States could see up to 15,000 churches close this year as declining Christian affiliation reshapes the country’s religious landscape.

The closures are projected to outpace new openings by a wide margin, Axios reported, signalling a long-term transformation in American faith communities.

Over the next decade, analysts expect this sharp decline to continue, raising fears that many towns, especially in rural areas, will lose essential services traditionally provided by churches such as food assistance, childcare, and disaster relief.

According to the Pew Research Center, the share of Americans identifying as Christian has fallen from 78% in 2007 to 62% today.

At the same time, the number of religiously unaffiliated individuals has risen to a record 29 percent. This demographic shift is driving the downturn in traditional congregations, with many struggling to retain members and maintain full-time clergy.

The National Council of Churches claimed that as many as 100,000 churches, about one quarter of all U.S. congregations, could close in the coming years. Many of those that remain may be forced to rely on part-time pastoral leadership.

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While traditional churches are struggling, non-denominational mega churches and evangelical congregations are expanding.

Their growth has been fuelled by charismatic leaders, political backing, and the reach of social media. This trend underscores a paradox. Local church communities are shrinking, yet religion’s influence in public life remains strong. Conservative groups and political figures continue to push for a greater role for faith in schools and other institutions.

The potential closures pose practical challenges as well as spiritual ones. Communities may be left with abandoned church buildings that are difficult to sell or repurpose. Catholic churches have also been affected, with closures linked not only to demographic shifts but also to long-lasting fallout from clerical abuse scandals.

The crisis reflects broader difficulties in sustaining clergy numbers. Recruiting and retaining pastors has become increasingly difficult, particularly in smaller congregations where financial resources are limited. For many Americans, the decline represents more than a loss of religious space. It also signals the erosion of community hubs that have historically anchored civic life.

Observers say the coming decade could redefine the country’s religious and social landscape, with traditional institutions giving way to larger, centralised churches or alternative community structures. While some leaders hope the closures may inspire innovation and new forms of worship, the scale of decline presents a sobering picture.

By Kamal Shami