Churchesthat

Churchesthat is a crowd-sourced, wiki-style database that documents churches, chapels, cathedrals, and other sacred spaces worldwide. It aims to serve as an open reference for architectural features, historical context, denominational affiliations, and current use, including accessibility and community programs. Each entry typically includes location, founding date, architectural style, notable architects, heritage status, and references to primary sources.

Contributors can add new entries, edit existing ones, upload images, and discuss changes on talk pages. The project uses a standardized data schema and requires verifiable sourcing, with edits tracked in version histories and subject to community moderation. Content is released under an open license to encourage reuse and cross-linking with other heritage and scholarly resources.

Governance is provided by a volunteer editorial board and a hosting nonprofit or collective, which establish guidelines, handle disputes, and oversee quality control. The scope is inclusive of buildings used as churches by various denominations, as well as historic sites once used for worship and preserved as cultural heritage.

History: The concept emerged in the mid-2010s as part of open-knowledge and heritage initiatives. It was publicly launched a few years later and has since grown through community contributions, expanding to multiple languages and integrating geographic data and multimedia.

Impact and criticism: The project is used by researchers, educators, travelers, and preservationists as a starting point for study and planning. Critics note potential issues with data completeness and accuracy, emphasizing the importance of citations, verification, and transparent editorial processes.