What are your favorite church interiors?

[starlady]

This is St. Peter Catholic Church. They did some incredible renovations several years ago. The first photo is what it looked like before…

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And this is what it looks like now:

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It doesn’t even look like the same church! You can see more photos here: St. Peter Before and After

St. Peter’s is not our parish, but I bet if we lived closer to that part of town, we would definitely go there. I just love the starry ceiling and the flames extending from the Holy Spirit above the sanctuary. I like that they didn’t really add or subtract from the frame of the church, but just made it more beautiful. For example, the pillars were plain and white before, but in the renovations, they were made to look like marble. Carpet was removed and replaced with a beautiful marble floor. I’m always impressed by this church whenever I go in it.

Sarah

 

[Daisy]

Sarah, thank you for the before and after!! I’m so happy I went ahead and started this thread. This is really something. I am in love with the boldness of the blue in the ceiling, but I might take it down a notch, but it’s something I can show other people, the priest, etc. to help them visualize the change.

I cannot change the architecture unfortunately.

 

[EricF]

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Basilica in St. Louis, MO

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Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico

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Underground grotto chapel behind the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

 

[christofirst]

Here is another parish near me, St. Anthony’s. The building is more modest than some of the magnificent churches posted here, but the pastor and parishioners have done the best with what they have. I wish I had a “before” picture, but the wall behind the crucifix was formerly covered by wall paper. A gifted parishioner painted the crucifixion scene behind the existing crucifix, and also the faux stone work around the statue alcoves.
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[Bruised_Reed]

My favorite church interiors, and exteriors, are at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. If you visit the Washington D.C. area and plan on going to the Basilica, plan on going to the Monastery as well. It’s just down the road, although going by car is best as there isn’t a Metro stop there. The interior of the Church is beautiful and there are replicas of the catacombs beneath the church above. There is a replica of the Portiuncula in Assisi and beautiful gardens that are away from the Church and quiet so you can pray in peace. My favorite part is the Rosary portico with the Hail Mary on plaques in 150 languages including some unusual ones like Ogham. I went there as often as I could when I lived in the area.
Link to the virtual tour. I can’t get it to go through the Portico and I’m bummed.

Also, if you click on my profile, my profile background (not the user card) is the church where my grandparents grew up and were married. It still has the communion rail and the statues are wood, not marble or plaster.