Least favorite church buildings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Esperanto99
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
40.png
latisha1903:
does it really matter? the Church is the people. now the actual building…:confused:

but anywho…to each his own…
Click to expand...
I once read that Church buildings are supposed to “preach” (make people think of the heavensand higher things) to passerbys. Also, that the transition from the secular world (say the road or side walk) to the sacred world (the Church doors) should be gentle, beautiful and as natural as possible. Our Gothic-style Cathedral in Norwich, CT has these words above the main entrance, visible to all on the side walk: “This is the House of God, This is the Gate of Heaven”.
 
40.png
Charlemagne:
I once read that Church buildings are supposed to “preach” (make people think of the heavensand higher things) to passerbys. Also, that the transition from the secular world (say the road or side walk) to the sacred world (the Church doors) should be gentle, beautiful and as natural as possible. Our Gothic-style Cathedral in Norwich, CT has these words above the main entrance, visible to all on the side walk: “This is the House of God, This is the Gate of Heaven”.
Click to expand...
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Thanks for this. I so much agree!
 
I guess I’m odd woman out because while I think the LA Cathedral is a monstrosity on the outside, I think the interior is very beautiful though not traditionally Catholic. The tapestries are amazing, particularly the one of the Baptism of Jesus. I also love spending time completely alone in the Blessed Sacrament chapel there. When I visit I’m usually the only person in there. It is bliss!
 
40.png
latisha1903:
does it really matter? the Church is the people. now the actual building…:confused:

but anywho…to each his own…
Click to expand...
Yes - it matters. Church Tradition says that the building should “preach” to passerby. Would a building like the one in Liverpool inspire someone to want to become Catholic or inspire a Catholic to greater heights of Faith? For me it doesn’t. I’ll take St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City or St. Peter’s Cathedral in Cologne, Germany anyday over a Church like the one shown above. Those two Churches are majestic and inspire one to think of the Heavens and the next life. They’re monuments to God, not man.
 
40.png
latisha1903:
does it really matter? the Church is the people. now the actual building…:confused:
Click to expand...
It matters a LOT!

If you study the architecture of a big European mediaeval church or cathedral, you will find that you are learning the very doctrines of the faith: the stones themselves will preach. And when people pour their very best effort into something, it means that that “something” matters. It isn’t a question of EITHER people OR architecture. They are not mutually exclusive, and in fact, architecture is one of the great human achievements.
 
40.png
Trad_Catholic:
The new “Cathedral” in LA.
Click to expand...
I’ll second that one. “Our Lady, Queen of Concrete” is one of the least attractive churches anywhere

If you look at the beautiful “Mission” style offering from Notre Dame Archtectural school, and compare it to what was actually built, you really have to wonder what was going through +Mahoney’s mind.
 
the ugliest church I’ve ever seen is no longer extant. I’ve only seen pictures of it. It was the church my husband’s grandparents, father, and aunts and uncles attended in the 1960s in Oswego IL. THe church, St Anne’s, was shaped exactly like a shark fin on the outside. Inside it was all brown and modern. Back in the 90s a bolt of lightning struck the shark fin and it burned to the ground. the hand of providence, no doubt! St Anne’s built a new church a few years ago - I haven’t seen it but heard that while modern it is also more traditional in layout and alot prettier. I’ve tried in vain to find pictures of the former “church” on the internet, but it seems there’s been a cover-up of that part of parish history!
 
40.png
sonofppio:
Talking About the exterior, I would have to say the Los Angeles new Cathedral.
Plus the tabernacle is horrific looking, and the crucifix makes our Lord look fried.
olacathedral.org/index.html
Click to expand...
The tapestries are remarkable. Truly a happy marriage of technology/inspiration/technical artistry and craft. I would visit Mahony’s wigwam just to have a look at them.
 
OK. This is heresy. If I were made rector of Il Gesu in Rome, I wouldn’t touch a brushstroke of it. But honestly, all of that baroque hysteria is frightful!

The picture of the ceiling linked here makes it look better than it appears “in person” because the walls are also smothered with frescoes and statuary to the point that you cannot breathe!

usc.edu/schools/annenberg/asc/projects/comm544/library/images/045.html
 
40.png
Trad_Catholic:
The new “Cathedral” in LA.

Also of note: Most Holy Trinity in Vienna, Austria and the Cathedral in Liverpool, England
Click to expand...
I would also add the new Coventry Cathedral, next to the ruins of the old one. Some photos of both can be found at coventry.org.uk/heritage2/places/cathedral/cathedral1.htm

I had a pleasant stroll through the ruins of the old St. Michael’s. I turned a corner, saw the new edifice, and stopped dead in my tracks. I quickly went back to imagining the splendour of the ruined church, trying to put the new one out of my thoughts.
 
40.png
mercygate:
OK. This is heresy. If I were made rector of Il Gesu in Rome, I wouldn’t touch a brushstroke of it. But honestly, all of that baroque hysteria is frightful!

The picture of the ceiling linked here makes it look better than it appears “in person” because the walls are also smothered with frescoes and statuary to the point that you cannot breathe!

usc.edu/schools/annenberg/asc/projects/comm544/library/images/045.html
Click to expand...
very true. I absolutely adore Il Gesu from an artistic and architectural point of view. It is simply stunning. But I never found it very conducive to worship, instead it was very distracting.
 
There was an article in Thursday’s NYTimes (August 19, 2004)about a new Catholic church called the Padre Pio Church (probably la Chiesa di Padre Pio) in a town called “San Giovanni Rotondo” in (Apulia) southern Italy. The title is “Awe (and maybe Acolytes) from Bold Architecture”. From the picture, the interior of the church looks almost like a domed stadium and the article refers to a “spidery dome” and a glass facade… The architect, Renzo Piano, also designed the Pompidou Center in Paris. According to the article, the church’s architecture is drawing visits from pilgrims. Now that can’t be bad for our glorious faith.
 
40.png
sonofppio:
Talking About the exterior, I would have to say the Los Angeles new Cathedral.
Plus the tabernacle is horrific looking, and the crucifix makes our Lord look fried.
olacathedral.org/index.html
Click to expand...
the tapestries and stained glass windows are gorgeous! Gothic is my favorite architectural style, but I guess I would have to see this cathedral in person to get teh full affect because I really enjoyed the artwork… not too sure about the dedication angels or crucifix, the pics werent’ too good…I loved the Baptismal tapestry.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top