Are older devotional objects or churches more holy than new?

[Shakuhachi]

I think older churches or objects that have had faithful, Holy people praying I and with them do become holy. Of course the same goes for consecrated buildings and things.

I remember my first visit to Gethsemani Abby in Kentucky. I was blown away by it. Even the bricks in the stairwell to the chapel balcony seemed to whisper, “Christ…Christ…Christ”.

 

[PetraG]

Although holiness is not a feeling that something gives you, I suppose you could say that objects and places that have a long history in service of the holy do become more venerable. That is not a given that simply comes with the passage of time, but certainly the merits of an object or a place do produce an enduring glory to God.

Having said that, new places are full of possibility, are they not? I have also been to places that were (how do I put this?) shorted by their architects and those who made decisions while building --awkward and artless places, for want of a better description–that are consecrated to great effect by the use made of them. That is not something that strikes one at first visit, when one is still ignorant of the place.

I would think it is not a bad habit to pray that God teach the lessons that an old object or place has to teach. There are many stories we will never know, but we can be taught in ways beyond our understanding, if we ask.

 

[Andy_82]

I have to say that there are a few new churches that I like. But, they’re done in the old style. Or, at least attempt to. The arena style just seems irreverent to me somehow with my favorite of the new ones being at the Most Holy Trinity Monastery in Petersham, MA. It’s actually a steel barn building that they outfitted to be traditional inside. Small, intimate and with kneelers galore.

 

[twf]

There’s a local parish that was built in the 80s. It has large stain glass windows high up near the ceiling that probably cost a pretty penny. The problem? I and everyone I’ve talked to agrees that they’re hideous. Instead of depicting saints or scenes from the Gospel, they’re just blobs of colour…must have meant something to someone… the only emotion they illicit in me is irritation.
On the other hand, the cathedral, built in the 1890s, boasts magnificent stain glass panes throughout the church that depict saints and Gospel scenes that never fail to inspire me.

 

[AdamP88]

Yeah. There are a few new churches in Riga, where my wife is from, that were built within the last 20 years but are done in the old layout. And the Dominican church near me is a 60’s building with the traditional layout.