Churches can go to the doctor – A Consultation hour for churches
About this good practice
Many church owners, volunteers, and local residents who wish to restore, repurpose, or maintain religious heritage buildings often face uncertainty about where to begin. They encounter challenges related to permits, funding opportunities, sustainability, and adaptation for multiple uses. Recognizing the need for accessible, independent expertise, the Cultural Heritage Support Center, based in Overijssel at Het Oversticht, was established to provide tailored guidance.
The practice operates through dedicated consultation hours, during which advisors discuss any concerns—whether they are initial ideas or well-defined plans. The center offers practical support on critical topics such as sustainability strategies, adaptive reuse, maintenance, and restoration processes. Experts help applicants navigate regulatory requirements, permit procedures, and financial support options, ensuring that interventions respect the historical and architectural significance of each site.
The Cultural Heritage Support Center, supported by the province of Overijssel act as both an expert body and facilitator, church owners, local organizations, and volunteers who seek to preserve and adapt these heritage sites are the main stakeholders. The initiative ensures that valuable religious landmarks remain integral to the community, even if their original function has changed, reinforcing their role as cultural and social hubs.
Resources needed
There are two advisors who carry out these consultation hours: Petra Schilders, coordinator and heritage advisor and Mireille Dosker - architectural and landscape historian. The province of Overijssel pays for the personnel efforts/hours in the form of a subsidy.
Evidence of success
This practice is effective because it addresses social needs and numerous churches like Jacobus de Meerdere Enschede, Maranathakerk Deventer, St. Isidoruskerk Haaksbergen, Koningskerk Deventer, Cat. Church Olst-Wijhe, Martinuskerk Markelo, and Cat. Church Hengevelde, have benefited from the initiative, along with many others who have sought advice remotely. The consultation service aligns with current policy discussions, remains highly relevant, and has received consistently positive feedback.
Potential for learning or transfer
This advisory service is free, non-binding and accessible to all. It leverages the expertise of independent advisors with extensive experience in repurposing, adapting and ensuring the sustainability of religious heritage. A key success factor is that the consultation hour is organized within an established heritage organization.
By providing a centralized and holistic response to the diverse challenges involved in initiating complex adaptation or reuse projects, this initiative helps stakeholders overcome barriers that might otherwise prevent projects from materializing.
Having operated successfully for over a year, the initiative is set to continue for at least two more years. This structured yet flexible approach makes the practice easily transferable to other regions and countries. It can be implemented at relatively low cost, ensuring that stakeholders receive the necessary guidance to navigate legal, technical, and financial challenges effectively.
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Good practice owner
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