Beautiful Churches and Their Meaning

[WirSindBettler]

As much as some on here may disagree, and keep in mind that I love elaborate English Gothic architecture, I sometimes think that some of the most beautiful churches were those American Puritanical (including the Dutch Reformed and other simpler denominations) churches so common in New England and partly in the South. Here are some of my favorites.

Old Ship Church, Hingham, MA
Thomas Loring, one of my direct ancestors, actually helped found the church.
He later moved to Hull, MA.

Old South Meeting House, Boston, MA
Meeting place of the Sons of Liberty.
James Swan, another direct ancestor was a member (also participating in the Boston Tea Party).
He was a close compatriot of Henry Knox.

Old Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow.

Old North Church, Boston, MA
Paul Revere's Congregation.

Lorimer Chapel, Colby College, Waterville, ME

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I always found those grand podiums to be intimidating.

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I don't know if anyone has posted this yet but I'll go ahead and post it:

Las Lajas Cathedral:

Las Lajas Cathedral holds the first position in our List on the basis of its beauty. Las Lajas Cathedral was built in 1916 and is located on the border between Ecuador and Colombia. The natural beauty view enhances the attraction of Las Lajas Cathedral to its peak level. The river flowing below the church and the church itself surrounded between the middle of 2 green mountains makes an extraordinary natural beauty view of Las Lajas Cathedral. From tourists point of view they love to stand hours on the bridge of the church enjoying the natural view and viewing the water flowing below the church. Many also say that it’s the 8th wonder of the world.

wow.. that one looks like an engineering marvel in the execution of its building. it looks so remote, like it has always been there.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

As much as some on here may disagree, and keep in mind that I love elaborate English Gothic architecture, I sometimes think that some of the most beautiful churches were those American Puritanical (including the Dutch Reformed and other simpler denominations) churches so common in New England and partly in the South. Here are some of my favorites.

Again, I completely agree. I'm not so much a fan of the white-washed ones as the natural wood color, but the austerity certainly has a grandeur all it's own.

That's probably the same reason why, although I'm very, very high church, I can also fully appreciate a low mass. Sometimes the spoken word has a gravitas that the sung word does not.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I find Armenian Apostolic/Armenian Catholic churches to be the most "beautiful", they are extremely simple, yet traditional. There is something mystical about them.

(Kohrvirab)​

 

[ChristsSoldier115]

I like those old remote monasteries or churches. I find them serene, simple, and beautiful.

well.. I guess they are all monasteries because having a church away from everyone doesn't make sense really.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

I find Armenian Apostolic/Armenian Catholic churches to be the most "beautiful", they are extremely simple, yet traditional. There is something mystical about them.

(Kohrvirab)​

I feel in love with Armenian architecture when I was traveling through Israel and Turkey. You're right, it's somewhat simpler than most ancient traditions. The feeling is almost that of the bare early Gothic cathedrals that were stripped almost bear by the Calvinistic reformers:

That's the Hooglandse Kerke in Leiden.

Of course, the Armenians come nowhere close to that. But there's a feeling of that simplicity from the architecture, but where the Dutch Calvinists made that happen on the inside, the same feeling is evoked by Armenian architecture outside. The interiors, of course, look like the image I posted earlier:

(Armenian Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem)

One thing I really love is the Armenian altar canopy or ciborium. It tends to replicate the look of the steeple on the church:

 

[WirSindBettler]

The feeling is almost that of the bare early Gothic cathedrals that were stripped almost bear by the Calvinistic reformers:

That's the Hooglandse Kerke in Leiden.

That was the pic I wanted for post 110, but I couldn't find it.

 

[WirSindBettler]

I always found those grand podiums to be intimidating.

It's just the Calvinist belief that the Word should be emphasized over Sacrament.

Thus, Word front and center.

 

[James Is Back]

That's a pretty scenery

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

That's a pretty scenery

That's Lake Van, in southeastern Turkey. I'd love to get there some day.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

That was the pic I wanted for post 110, but I couldn't find it.

Why do they whitewash the stone, though?

 

[James Is Back]

That's Lake Van, in southeastern Turkey. I'd love to get there some day.

I wouldn't mind visiting that myself

 

[bbbbbbb]

Why do they whitewash the stone, though?

The reason is relatively simple. It is a preservation method. Limestone tends to decay in most environments. By adding a lime wash to the surface the actual stone is given a measure of protection from decay. That works for exteriors especially. On the interiors it is a matter of luminosity. White reflects and refracts light much better than darker surfaces. If you have a church where a congregation needs to see well, but only relies on natural light, then large windows coupled with a white interior is ideal.

 

[GoingByzantine]

So GCC, or whoever wants to chime in. Do you think Armenian style churches influenced Celtic and Gothic style churches in Europe. I kind of get those vibes.

 

[WirSindBettler]

So GCC, or whoever wants to chime in. Do you think Armenian style churches influenced Celtic and Gothic style churches in Europe. I kind of get those vibes.

I don't.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

I don't.

Haha, yeah, I don't think so.

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

The reason is relatively simple. It is a preservation method. Limestone tends to decay in most environments. By adding a lime wash to the surface the actual stone is given a measure of protection from decay. That works for exteriors especially. On the interiors it is a matter of luminosity. White reflects and refracts light much better than darker surfaces. If you have a church where a congregation needs to see well, but only relies on natural light, then large windows coupled with a white interior is ideal.

Interesting, thanks! That makes a lot of sense. I still think it's really ugly.

 

[bbbbbbb]

So GCC, or whoever wants to chime in. Do you think Armenian style churches influenced Celtic and Gothic style churches in Europe. I kind of get those vibes.

Actually, it is rather complex. Armenian style churches such as we are shown here were typical of a very broad Christian architecture which derived primarily from Roman sources (hence the round arches rather than pointed arches). By the late eleventh century there were additional inputs such as the discovery of Islamic architecture during the Crusades. These served to develop the use of the pointed arch and vaulting of the roof rather than the previous use of timber roofs. With that came real possibilities of developing larger windows so that, in time, Gothic churches were designed with virtually their entire walls of glass.

As for Celtic style, there is no known such independent style of church structure. You may be referring to the Romanesque style of churches constructed in areas such as Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, to mention but a few areas considered to be associated with the Celtic culture.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Interesting, thanks! That makes a lot of sense. I still think it's really ugly.

Actually, I think white is really boring, but then I dislike Modern architecture in general because of its whiteness.