Church Land Purchase Guide

Site Selection

"A church building site should be selected to meet a number of critiera. Physical and environmental conditions such as size, shape, topography, landscaping and drainage are factors, as well as site cost and accessibility. Ultimately, however, location may become the single biggest factor to determine the suitability of a site--location for visibility to those passing by, for easy access, and for effective ministry in relation to where the members live and work." - p. 13, Church Building space: An Architectural Planning Guide, Douglas R. Hoffman (General Board of Global Ministries, 1997).

"Accessibility is slightly more important than visibility as a central characteristic of effective, successful churches. Accessibility consists of location accessibility, sight accessibility and people accessiblity. In large measure, location is decisive." - p. 72, Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, Kennon L. Callahan (HarperCollins, 1983).

Acreage needed

"If you have a dream, then share it with the church and buy as much land as you can. It will probably never be less expensive. Remember, it can always be sold later." - p. 51, Simply Strategic Stuff, Tim Stevens and Tony Morgan (Group Pub., 2004).

“How much land does a congregation need…? It depends….one acre per 100 people at worship probably will be adequate. If, however…a ‘full-service church’ includes worship; a variety of learning opportunities for all ages; an extensive indoor and outdoor recreation program; a Christian day school for ages 3 through 12; an extensive camping ministry; a retirement village; acceptance of a role as a teaching church; a full ministry with death, including a funeral home, cemetery, and a columbarium…an average worship attendance of at least 4,500; and one or two other specialized ministries, then this probably will require 120 to 400 acres of land. - p. 135-136, The Very Large Church, Lyle Schaller (Abingdon, 2000).

“A church suburban or rural church with an estimated average attendance of 300 should seek a site with approximately 5 acres….For large membership churches 5 acres is a minimum; 10-15 acres are more desirable. Urban churches must usually cope with smaller sites an strict zoning regulations. Congregations purchasing urban sites must first investigate the allowable site usage, coverage (buildable areas), and building height and bulk permitted by local zoning laws. – p. 15 Church Building space: An Architectural Planning Guide, Douglas R. Hoffman (General Board of Global Ministries, 1997).

NOTE: United Methodist churches purchasing property must first get the approval of their District Board of Church Location and Building.