What is the best style of architecture for a Catholic church (your opinion)?

[ajpirc]

In my opinion, all of the above, except for modern, are great, but I think that Gothic is the greatest.

(Renaissance second)

 

[Seamus_L]

I much prefer Neo-Gothic to Gothic as the latter can be a bit stark and cold.

 

[ajpirc]

I much prefer Neo-Gothic to Gothic as the latter can be a bit stark and cold.

I’ve never seen Neo-Gothic. How is it different?

 

[ChadS]

I voted for both Romanesque (like the National Shrine in Washington D.C.) and Gothic (like Notre Dame in Paris). But, I wanted to note that modern architecture, if done right and the right focus can still achieve a sense of holiness that many associate with the earlier styles.

Modern doesn’t have to mean box-like structures or churches in the round. It’s the same with any style of architecture there are always good examples and bad examples.

ChadS

 

[ESMDHokie77]

Gaudi’s style for the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a great one…

 

[ZDHayden]

My new parish is neo-Gothic, designed to remind the visitor of Noah’s ark. My first parish was modern.

I personally prefer the Gothic style - it makes one feel small in such a large and strong church. I find a personal sort of safety in Gothic architecture - it reminds me of God.

Romanesque comes in a distant second. I like the arches in this style.

Byzantine, which comes in a close third behind Romanesque - it seems the sweet tooth of church architecture!

 

[svid2]

Gothic. 13th century. St Severin in Paris. I CRIED!

 

[odile53]

I wish I knew enough about various architectural styles to be able to answer this question intelligently!

I pretty much like them all, except when something is really ugly. I know, that sounds like, “I don’t know about art, but I know what I like!”

Okay, I admit it: I’m a doofus on this subject!

 

[Monica4316]

In my opinion, all of the above, except for modern, are great, but I think that Gothic is the greatest.

(Renaissance second)

I like Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic… I don’t like modern.

 

[Kevin812]

My first response would be one filled with people:thumbsup:.

Personally I like Baroque. I tend to not like the Modern period churches of the 1950s and 60s.

 

[Monica4316]

I’ve never seen Neo-Gothic. How is it different?

Basically, it’s more colourful

Here’s an example:
notredameottawa.com/

(Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa Canada)

 

[JamestheOlder]

I voted “modern”. One of the most impressive structures I have ever visited is Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles. If you have not had a chance to visit it, pictures are published online.

But, Gothic has its points. I think that is the style of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt lake City…breath-taking!

 

[svid2]

Basically, it’s more colourful

Here’s an example:
notredameottawa.com/

(Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa Canada)

Colorful? Check out Notre Dame de Chartres. THAT’S BLUE!

 

[puzzleannie]

can’t answer until I see your site survey and your budget

 

[Tsuwano]

can’t answer until I see your site survey and your budget

Excellent point! It depends on where the church is located and how much money is available to build it.

 

[Monica4316]

Colorful? Check out Notre Dame de Chartres. THAT’S BLUE!

Gothic churches can have colour, but all the neo Gothic churches I’ve seen have lots of bright colours especially around the sanctuary, on the walls… here’s another example: basiliquenddm.org/ but the main idea about the neo Gothic style is just that it was a return to Gothic art/architecture/etc at a time when the neoclassical style was more popular (around 18th century)

 

[xixxvmcm85]

In my opinion, all of the above, except for modern, are great, but I think that Gothic is the greatest.

(Renaissance second)

I just think it’s important for religious architecture to stand apart from the profane. I’ve seen some well executed “modern” church buildings that were just breathtaking, but sadly they’re the exception rather than the norm. I will say that I’m sort of partial to Gothic myself (though I clicked all the available options in the poll).

A Church shouldn’t look like an auditorium, or a gym, a government building, or (ala megachurch style) a corporate office building.

 

[Jonathan_V]

Romanesque & Byzantine because the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the most beautiful church I have ever set foot in. I love this church. I used to live in Maryland, but I never appreciated how beautiful it was until I got to go back there in January for the March for Life. My friends and I went to the Solemn Vigil Mass for Life that they held the Sunday before the March and it was PACKED. Max seating capacity for the Shrine is 6,000 and we were able to cram 12,000 people in there, most of them kids in there for the Mass that night. I absolutely cannot wait to go back again next year!!!

One thing that the pictures do not show are the 70 some small chapels that are downstairs and the Crypt, which is a smaller church. All of the little side chapels are incredibly beautiful, with statues and quotes from saints, and countless icons and pictures of Jesus and Mary. If you ever have the chance to go, then don’t miss it. If you go for Mass then make sure you spend some time walking around because this will blow you away.



Here is one of the Mass:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[Albrecht]

I really dislike baroque and renaissance churches.

I prefer the (colorful) gothic, romanesque and byzantine styles. I’ve also seen some interesting Art Nouveau churches.

 

[Bezant]

In my opinion, all of the above, except for modern, are great, but I think that Gothic is the greatest.

(Renaissance second)

I’m partial to Byzantine-style…mosaics, gold, icons, domes…