New Vatican commission cracks down on church architecture

La Stampa ^ | 11/21/2011 | ANDREA TORNIELLI

[livius]

An ugly church, on the other hand, does not help in any way.

Christianity is based upon the Incarnation, which means that the invisible became visible, the non-physical became physical, and therefore what we see around us in Christian places is important and does relate to the Faith and to our lives in faith. Church buildings, obviously, are not essential to the faith, but in the context of Christianity, we should perhaps think of them as “little incarnations,” that is, little embodiments and physical expressions of the truth that is Jesus Christ, who is no longer with us in the visible form in which He walked on earth but of whom we are constantly reminded by churches and their beauty.

[livius]

Now if only they had the authority to tear down the ugly ones that have already gotten built...boy, do I have a list!

[Designer]

Too often, the architect's agenda is to win a prize, and not starting at the liturgy is a serious mistake.

We had a project in D school wherein the assignment was for a church of a denomination of which I was unfamiliar, but I began by studying the liturgy.

Besides the architect's "hidden" agenda, the building committee knows next to nothing of architecture, and consequently is perfectly willing to accept a design that does not enhance the liturgy.

The most egregious mistakes are the ones that cost a fortune (see architect's agenda).

[Antioch]

Too often, architects, even the more famous ones, do not use the Catholic liturgy as a starting point

Had our local Church used the liturgy as a starting point, parishioners would not have to endure Jesus taking a pass on crucifixion, flying off the cross and doing the Charleston on the Sea of Galilee

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[rzman21]

It's about time.

Churches should look like this

[Fiji Hill]

No more ugly modern music!

Teradittos! Unfortunately, traditional music fans are losing out as the electric guitar chases the organ out of the church and "praise bands" replace choirs.

[Biggirl]

I have read on another thread that the cathedral in San Fransico,CA has the nickname of “Our Lady of Maytag” because it looks like a washing machine agitator.

[Biggirl]

Looks like a shopping mall to me.

[starlifter]

Looks like Der Fuhrer Bunker.

[stormer]

The guys running the church may care, but I don't think god does...

[tanknetter]

Had our local Church used the liturgy as a starting point, parishioners would not have to endure Jesus taking a pass on crucifixion, flying off the cross and doing the Charleston on the Sea of Galilee

Wow, that's pretty suck-a**. But it could be worse, you could have The Buddy Christ up there:

[count-your-change]

That looks more like “Our Condo Of Phoenix”.

[Col Freeper]

Had our local Church used the liturgy as a starting point, parishioners would not have to endure Jesus taking a pass on crucifixion, flying off the cross and doing the Charleston on the Sea of Galilee.

Wow, I must agree, that is certainly ..... strange.

I guess "it is finished" meant something completely different to the interior design folks.

Perhaps in some future redesign, Jesus will be able return to the cross (but he will have to lower his right arm, or raise his left, first, I guess).

Sort of a "what were they thinking" moment I suppose.

[markomalley]

Yeah, I know what you are saying:

But I don't see civilian services (or military services while garrisoned) being conducted in that type of environment voluntarily...

They even had as nice a decorations as possible when worshiping in the catacombs, after all.

[Excellence]

What is OCP and GIA?

[married21]

hahahaha!

[married21]

We live in this diocese. I understand that the tapestries inside are supposed to be beautiful. I have never quite been able to bring myself to visit the Cathedral, though. I fondly remember St. Vibiana’s, which was the old Cathedral before it sustained earthquake damage.

[ottbmare]

I disagree that the building is of no importance. It can be very difficult for some people to feel reverent when surrounded by deliberate ugliness that has no feeling of the beautiful, the eternal, and the purely good about it. The great religious architecture of the world has survived and continues to fill worshipers with awe and joy because our hearts are thrilled by this preview, this tiny visual taste, of the splendors of heaven.

Even when church architecture is not filled with gilt and marble, it can and should be beautiful in the purity of its lines. No one can say that the old church buildings of New England were not beautiful, even if they weren't adorned with statues.

Here is an example. This is a fairly new church. The photo here doesn't do it justice at all, at all, but when you see it across a snowy winter field it's truly stunning in its simple and austere beauty. Yes, even if you prefer Gothic or Baroque architecture. Please believe me, I just couldn't find a good picture on Google Images. This is not my church and I don't know anything about what these folks do inside--I'm a Catholic--I'm just posting this to show that it's possible to build a new Protestant church that's doesnn't look like a refinery.

Christ Church of Lake Forest

I believe we ought to be honoring and worshiping the Lord with the works of our hands, and if we build something it ought to be the best and most beautiful thing we can give Him. It should be raised to His glory. It should not refer back to the ghastly architectural ugliness and the socialist-inspired suffering of the twentieth century.

[Fiji Hill]

We live in this diocese. I understand that the tapestries inside are supposed to be beautiful. I have never quite been able to bring myself to visit the Cathedral, though. I fondly remember St. Vibiana’s, which was the old Cathedral before it sustained earthquake damage.

It looks better on the inside than it does on the outside.

[ottbmare]

YES! THANK YOU!