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Church (physical) structure: what happened and does it matter?
OK I confess, I'm an atheist who's asucker for older (Gothic through Victorian) churches and cathedrals. It's not that I am some uber-tourist with history envy. I grew up in England. My school was built in 1612. The pub I frequented a year earlier. We had standing churches and abbeys etc. within a few minutes ranging from 11th century and up. I did not consider them special just because they were old, but I did and still do appreciate the unique architecture and environment of ecclesiastical buildings. Obviously I don't think any god who existed would care what his church looked like, but I do think the modern churches miss out an a special atmosphere conducive to awe and worship. It seems that newer churches TRY to be, architecturally, as bland, utilitarian and lacking in inspiration as possible, and I wonder when and why that started. Obviously not all congregations can build York Minster, but why, and since when, do so many seem to avoid ALL traditionalism? Feel free to use Bible verse. I'm a fan of that too! Obviously not a believer, but I find the Bible to be a wonderful insight into anthropology and ancient cultures. Lemme guess - Matthew 18:20? Yep it doesn't matter to God I'm sure, but might it not matter to people? If not, other than venal ostenation, why were these awe-inspiring churches built that way in the first place?
Public Comments
- I could answer you , if you allow me to use bible verses
- A modern Church buit in the old European style is not particularly attractive. I use to be a fan of Church arcitecture. I have spent many holidays wandering the Churches in France. Lately I have begun to view them as a monument to ignorance rather than an attractive buildin, somewhat dowsing my enthusiasm for viewing them.
- It is my opinion that man allowed his soul to dictate beauty and used his time accordingly. Now days, man allows the cost and practical aspects to dominate his priorities.
- HI I'm a Born Again Christian who has a thing for older(Gothic through Victorian) Churches. I've often wondered the same thing. The Church I attend looks like a school..square and Brick and huge. I don't think that God cares what the building looks like as long as his children are having fellowship. I'm not sure when that happened.. i think around here(South Carolina) it tarted in the late 80's, o not that long ago...I do wonder why...eeehhh I know I'm no help at all, but I just wanted you to know that I often wonder the same thing.
- I think possibly that part of the reasoning is to take the eyes off of the grader and beauty as some have fallen into worshiping such sites. Keeping basic lets one focus on God. I admit though, some of the older Churches are just gorgeous!
- Since the 1950's, the influence of religion has gone down-hill. Religion has made itself bland, so as to keep as many adherents as possible ....trying to please everyone. They have even amalgamated religious organizations because not enough were attending church. The architecture reflects their present state. Previously a big power having imposing buildings, now a bland, perfunctory relic with architecture to match.
- Largely it's money: the sense of "built for a 1,000 years" which is one factor in the presence of a classic church building doesn't come cheaply. But the modern Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral almost worked... from some angles it does, but the entrance is an absolute mess. And the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral say so much more than the new one. I can think of one modern example that's impressed me, (from photos) the Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs. In one sense it's theologically correct: the principle function of a church (building) is to keep the rain off, and the heat in or outm, and the balance between a building that inspires humans to worship, and to idolatry, has rattled down the centuries. "What wonderful stones..." Mk 13: 1-2 And then it's whose view of magnificence, and of tradition? When St Helens Bishopsgate was re-arranged by the IRA and restoration was needed, funds were available from both English Heritage and the Victorian Church Society. But one opposed and one supported the plan to undo modern alterations and restore the church to it's earlier form. ...those Victorian modern alterations.
