Church Sold for 1 Euro in Belgium to Become Cultural Center for Hip-Hop, Breakdancing, and Circus Arts

A Catholic church in Anderlecht, Belgium, has been sold for just 1 euro due to a lack of visitors, reports EADaily.

The St. Francis Xavier Church is set to be transformed into a cultural center that will host classes in hip-hop, breakdancing, and circus arts.

“This is the reality we face in Belgium, especially in areas with many churches where the majority of the population is now Muslim,” said Tommy Scholtès, spokesperson for the Belgian bishops.

For 100 years, prayer services were held in the St. Francis Xavier Church. Its doors have been closed for the past 6 years.

“I have lived here for 35 years and remember this church filled with people, even though that was a long time ago. It’s sad to see it this way now,” quoted a local television report from Henry, a member of the Anderlecht law enforcement.

In Anderlecht, 40 percent of the residents are Muslim. In Belgium alone, 40 churches were desecrated and converted into hotels, restaurants, or cultural centers in 2019.