What Makes a Church Beautiful?

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Definitely the inside of a church. Bruno Zevi defined the church as a “negative space”, as in it is mostly perceived from within.
I like the churches that are all the way traditional, with many icons and in the case of Catholic churches statues, stained-windows, that give an “outside of everyday world” feeling. Also best when the walls are thick enough to keep away the sound of the surrounding street.
They can be small or grand cathedral, it does not matter. But even the large ones I prefer when they use, especially near the altar real lit candles and oil candles not just electricity.
For Catholic churches my favorite styles are Gothic and Renaissance, Baroque is too convulsive, it does not give me the inner peace I feel I need in a church.
 
I’ve honestly never met a Catholic of any stripe who appreciates those chunky cherubs of the Renaissance. I think they spoke to a different time and a different mentality. On the other hand, [we have to deal with this gobbledygook these days,](https://www.preciou(name removed by moderator)ents.com/figurines/angels) but thankfully we no longer see them incorporated into Catholic Churches.
 
blackforest said:
I’ve honestly never met a Catholic of any stripe who appreciates those chunky cherubs of the Renaissance. I think they spoke to a different time and a different mentality. On the other hand, [we have to deal with this gobbledygook these days, ](https://www.preciou(name removed by moderator)ents.com/figurines/angels) but thankfully we no longer see them incorporated into Catholic Churches.
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I wouldn’t be too sure. Not in official churches but i have been to several shrines and such places where people had set up such statues.
 
We must remember that when we go to Church we are stepping into a special place. We must somehow be reminded that we are being subconsciously lifted up to higher things. The paintings, statues, stained glass, focal points, crosses etc must all point to the spiritual and make us think of the God who dwells there for us. The environment must stimulate higher thoughts of who we will be worshiping in our liturgy and the graces that will be shed on us which is the life of Christ and His Spirit that indwells.
 
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I think there used to be a lot of deliberation over church architecture and how it relates to God. Now with the influence of postmodernism, things are a little different. There’s a lot of confusion over what God wants versus what we want.

I took a look into the “philosophy” of old Catholic Church architecture awhile back. A few things made me think, “wow that actually makes sense.”

For instance, high, arched ceilings point our eyes upward. The more grande, the better. It’s God’s House. He’s big. He needs a lot of space. He’s also a King and I think He deserves lots of high quality, richly adorned designs and furnishings.

Looking back at Soloman’s Temple gives a lot of clues into what God desires in a Church. I think however, we already kind of realize that Gothic architecture sort of hits the nail on the head. Something about it inspires a lot of people I think.

Naturally, whatever God wants in a Church is going to be beautiful. He knows beauty inspires us. The beauty of a church reminds us of who He is. And He knows this too.
 
I like things humble, at church.
But I have always had a fondness for stain glass windows.
They just fascinate me.
 
Today is your lucky day, I love the Churches of the Renaissance and Baroque.
 
Quite on the contrary, only God would know since he is truth, good, and beauty itself.
 
blackforest said:
I think that light is a major factor that intrigues me. We take daylight for granted, but how the architecture plays with this light can be creative and inspiring. The best example is Tautra Mariakloster outside of Trondheim, Norway . . . also one that I find beautiful but have never visited.
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I really like that one, too
 
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