10 Most Beautiful Churches

Budget Travel ^ | 04/20/2011 | Terry Ward

[loreldan]

Just in time for Easter, we've rounded up 10 of mankind's most awe-inspiring odes to faith. Consider this slide show a little piece of heaven on Earth.

Whether or not you're religious, there's no denying that churches are among man's most spectacular creations. From a modern glass-and-pine place of worship deep in the Arkansas countryside to a wooden stave church dating back to the Middle Ages in Norway, we scoured the globe to identify the most breathtaking churches in the world.

[CTOCS]

One of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever been in is the one in Utrect, Holland. They give guided tours and allow unguided as well. The interior of the bell tower is magnificent. Don’t have a picture or the knowledge to post one but you can google it.

[oyez]

Frank Loyd Wright, Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL.

[Clemenza]

In North America, Notre Dame in Montreal.

[DariusBane]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_National_Shrine_of_the_Immaculate_Conception

Washington DC, started in the 20’s. Very nice.

[oyez]

But most modern churches just aren’t awe-inspiring any more.

Its a matter of cost of time, material and labor. Back in the day, some churches took decades to build. These days time is money, so speed of construction trumps artistry and skill.

[Celtic Conservative]

i've been there, is it st.Janskirke?(sp)

CC

[Gman]

http://saintfrancisturlock.com/share/mod_gallery/170.jpg

Saint Francis Anglican Church in Turlock, CA - The parish where I serve as Rector. Palm Sunday 2011.

How do I post the image itself?

[Daffynition]

Attending Easter services at the Crystal Cathedral was impressive. When the walls opened and the fountains rushed. It was cool.

[SuziQ]

My brother graduated from the Zoo, too, in 1969! The Chapel is awesome, and the setting, in the mountains, is just gorgeous.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

[DariusBane]

Suzi,

I was born in 1969 so i think he graduated 89?

Yes he patrolled the quad a little latter than your bro! LOL

[CTOCS]

It is St. Martin’s Cathedral. The locals call it “The Dom.”

[Talisker]

This thread is not about theology. Please take that elsewhere. It is about art.

Actually, you have it backwards. People who truly respect and admire architecture understand it is the "art" of matching form to function. Churches, believe it or not (that's a pun, FYI), have a function - to provide a place for the worship of God.

And Jesus (the particular focus of virtually ALL churches), declared that the Kindom of God is within the human being.

Now follow me here, because this next step is really tricky - that means human beings are the original "churches."

And whaddya know, great cathedrals have been even laid out in the human form.

So I'll tellya what - you take your artistic sneers elsewhere. Put on your black leather jacket over your black t-shirt with your black jeans and black boots, go have a frappachino and do some research. Then when you come back, you can re-read my post with an undestanding of it's artistic, architectually appropriate meaning.

But I do feel for you - imagine someone bringing up God in an artistic discussion about churches! What knuckledraggers some people are!

[xhrist]

THE most beautiful church of all is the one attended weekly(at least)...
sorry, couldn't resist..

[garandgal]

If you are ever near West Bend, IA...I would suggest checking out Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Not so much for the church itself (except for one of the photos I've posted below); but for the football field sized grotto that was the life's work of Father Dobberstein. He dedicated his life to building it after being delivered from a severe illness while a Seminarian.

The first photo is inside of the Church; the "Christmas Grotto" where he used all of his finest precious stone specimens...note the large purple stone above the Baby Jesus...it is ONE amethyst.

I've posted a couple of additional photos of the grotto itself, which sits just to the North of the church.

[skeptoid]

Here's a variation on the theme: a modern cathedral that is ALL window.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light was constructed in Oakland from '05 to '08 and a time-lapse can be viewed here.

More photos and some engineering stuff

[MattinNJ]

The Cathedral in Toledo, Spain was magnificent. There is an alcove with a raised alter bathed in sunlight making it appear as if the alter is raising towards heaven and angels reach down from the cupola with the chains of the candelabra intertwined with their arms. I think it is called El Transparente.

I simply could not believe human beings could conceive and create something so beautiful.

[DariusBane]

I apologize. I did not mean to sound as crass at my post is. I love the architectural language of church buildings. I am not snooty or artsy. The amateur hobby started with a study of the Hagia Sophia years ago. I understood them to be trying to bring a sort of portal to God into this world through the dome. I found that fascinating. Then pillars as sacrificial and taboo. Taboo meaning something both profane and sacred.

I agree very much with the evangelical sentiment that a church building is not sacred.

I also thought your posted picture was beautiful.

So my apologies. Their exist plenty of crass and pointless arguments in this world. I did not mean to start one here.

[Gene Eric]

Well, Italy’s Basilicas kinda’ dominate the list... Heck, they even taught Rembrandt how to paint...

[Gene Eric]

Perhaps, my favorite...