Church Architecture

[CutlerB]

I found a documentation about the Cathedral of Saint Stephen in Vienna, Austria on YouTube, which highlighted the wonderful history and beauty of the building.

I find it a shame that Churches nowadays are anything but near or similar to the magnificent traditional ones. Of course I understand that type of building is a lot more expensive, but our architecture today is just so far off that it cannot be just for that reason. I thought I might get others’ opinions on this.

So, what is your preference in Church architecture, would you favour a return or are you fine with modern-day design?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I’m fine with modern day design and in some ways prefer it, when a new church is being built.

It’s more conducive for the elderly and those with various physical issues.

Also, they are more economical to heat and cool, which helps save on fuel cost and lessens the dependence on fossil fuels.

Then of course they are better acoustically because the old style cathedrals, amplification either didn’t exist or wasn’t what it is today.

Jim

 

[J_Peterson]

I don’t know what style it is but I like the Church I’ve been attending. Photos are too big to attach: St. Catherine of Genoa

Would that be Baroque? I kind of like the simple modern style as well but prefer anything that has a large open space above the alter (I don’t think anything symbolizes the Father better then a large open space).

 

[Elizium23]

I prefer Catalan Modernisme, à la Sagrada Família, but I take it that is not the same animal as the poll choice “Modern”.

My parish church is a Modern disaster. Built in the 80s, it epitomizes the tacky “Spirit of Vatican II”. It’s an ugly, windowless box with acoustic tile and a “cry room”. Our current pastor has done extensive, uh, polishing, and made the furnishings quite respectable and tasteful. Marble highlights, beautiful altar pieces. And we have orthodox priests and a lovely community inside. But it’s still an ugly, tacky beige box.

 

[Marocchino]

I love Notre Dame (Montreal and Ottawa) and St. Michael’s Cathedral (Toronto). Fitting houses for the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[LoyalViews]

I said Gothic, Baroque, Classicism and Other.

I really like Pugin’s unique architecture, also, art deco is quite nice.

There are some modern nice churches. By this I mean that there are probably four (4) Churches in the universe, which are in the modern style, and are actually beautiful. These have an ad orientum altar. It’s more or less, 1950’s modern. Look on “New Liturgical Movement” and their examples of good modern architecture and you’ll know what I mean.

Overall, my favourite is the parish Church style of Pugin and mostly Gothic, because it’s what I’m used to and what I’m most familiar with.

 

[system]

To me, nothing is more beautiful and spiritually moving then a massive Gothic style cathedral with a majestic pipe organ (like St Patrick’s in NYC or Sacred Heart Basilica in Newark) but I have also been in some beautiful modern Catholic churches as well. I suppose that as long as the architecture is conducive to a vibrant congregation and pastoral staff, and contains all the elements necessary and proper based on the Church’s requirements then it serves a primary purpose.

I was recently a visitor to a brand new modern Catholic church in South Carolina that at first gave a decent impression - it was pretty… But, during Mass the pastor explained why everything in the church was designed and built a certain way, and then it all came together and made the architecture absolutely beautiful! The congregation loved it and felt like it truly was their spiritual “home”.