Why Are Catholic Churches Built the Way They Are?
Have you ever walked into a Catholic church and wondered why it looks the way it does?
The height of the building, the stained glass, the altar, the tabernacle and the other details are not simply there to make the church beautiful. Traditionally, Catholic church architecture has been designed to point beyond itself, directing our attention towards God and heaven.
There is a lot of history and theology behind Catholic church design. Here are three important features to look out for the next time you walk into a Catholic church.
Watch the video below for a short explanation.
1. Verticality: Pointing Towards Heaven
One of the most distinctive features of traditional Catholic church architecture is its verticality.
Churches, particularly those built in the Gothic and Romanesque traditions, often draw the eye upwards. Tall ceilings, towers, arches and other architectural features create a sense of height and lift the gaze towards heaven.
This isn't simply an architectural choice.
The upward movement of the building can serve as a reminder that our prayers and our lives are ultimately directed towards God.
When you walk into a traditional Catholic church, look up.
The architecture is often deliberately doing exactly what it was designed to do: directing your attention beyond the building itself.
2. Permanence: A Church Built to Last
Another important feature of traditional church architecture is permanence.
A Catholic church is not simply intended to be a temporary meeting place. Traditionally, churches have been constructed as substantial, enduring buildings intended to remain for generations.
Stone, brick, timber and other durable materials have been used to create buildings that can stand for centuries.
This permanence can also communicate something about the nature of the Church itself.
The building is intended to be stable and enduring, rather than something temporary that can simply be put up and taken down.
That is one reason historic Catholic churches can feel so different from ordinary modern buildings. They were often designed with generations, rather than decades, in mind.
3. Iconography: A Church Should Look Like a Church
The third feature is iconography.
Catholic churches traditionally contain visual elements that communicate the faith. Stained glass, statues, paintings, crucifixes, altars and tabernacles can all contribute to the visual language of a church.
These aren't simply decorations.
They can teach, remind and direct the attention of those inside towards the truths of the Catholic faith.
A beautiful high altar, a golden tabernacle or a large stained-glass window can make the church visually distinctive, but these features can also have a deeper purpose.
The beauty of the building is intended to point beyond itself.
Why Does Catholic Church Architecture Matter?
Catholic churches are places of worship, and their architecture has traditionally reflected that purpose.
The building can help create an atmosphere of reverence and direct our attention towards God.
This is particularly noticeable when you compare a traditional Catholic church with an ordinary secular building. The proportions, materials, artwork and layout can all contribute to a very different experience.
And you don't necessarily need to know the history of architecture to appreciate it.
The next time you enter a Catholic church, simply stop and look around.
Look up at the ceiling.
Look towards the altar.
Look at the stained glass.
Look at the tabernacle.
Ask yourself: does this church point me towards heaven?
That is, ultimately, the point.
Catholic Churches and Wedding Photography
This is also one of the reasons I enjoy photographing Catholic weddings.
A Catholic wedding takes place within a space that has its own visual language and significance. The architecture, altar, stained glass, statues and light can all form an important part of the story of the day.
For a Catholic wedding photographer, understanding the church matters. It helps me photograph not only the couple and their guests, but also the sacred setting in which the wedding takes place.
The church isn't simply the backdrop to the wedding. It is part of the story.
If you are planning a Catholic wedding and are looking for a photographer who understands the importance of the Mass and the church itself, you can find out more about my Catholic wedding photography.
Watch the video
In this short video, I explain three traditional features of Catholic church architecture: verticality, permanence and iconography.
