Preservation as a Negotiation Process: Living Religious Heritage from the Perspective of Critical Heritage Studies (A Case Study of Pniel Singaraja Church, Bali)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines the preservation of Pniel Singaraja Church in Bali as a living religious heritage site through the perspective of Critical Heritage Studies (CHS). Conventional conservation approaches often prioritize material authenticity, architectural integrity, and regulatory compliance, while active religious buildings require spatial adaptation to sustain worship, community activities, and social continuity. This research aims to reinterpret preservation as a negotiation process involving regulatory authority, professional expertise, and congregational practice. A qualitative case study approach was applied through document analysis, non-destructive field observation, and critical literature review. The data were analyzed using thematic and discourse analysis to identify how authority, authenticity, adaptation, and community meaning are constructed in preservation practice. The findings show that the preservation of Pniel Singaraja Church is still strongly influenced by Authorized Heritage Discourse, which privileges state regulation and professional judgment in defining heritage value. However, the church's continuous use as a worship space demonstrates that spiritual function, social meaning, and congregational adaptation are also essential components of heritage significance. This study concludes that the tension between material authenticity and functional adaptation should not be viewed as conservation failure, but as an inherent characteristic of living religious heritage. The main contribution of this study is the development of a negotiation-based preservation model that integrates regulatory, professional, and community regimes. Theoretically, the study expands CHS application in Indonesian heritage studies; practically, it offers a more inclusive framework for managing active religious heritage buildings; and socially, it supports the recognition of religious communities as legitimate actors in heritage governance.
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7202071911