Posted: 8/10/2026 1:31:13 AM EDT
A very good overview  I Was an Architect. Here’s What I Think of Modern Church Architecture. |
| Modern Christian churches Typically favor space over looks because they are working with limited budgets. The Mormon church and others that get money for church planting from a central entity tend to be more visually appealing as they budget for that. The same reason the City roundabout has a $100,000 art display in the center but my front yard has $0 in art. |
When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
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It's function over form. Required on a limited budget. Hard to make pretty stuff when you don't have an inexhaustible supply of slave labor. |
Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.---John Adams
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Originally Posted By OregonShooter: Modern Christian churches Typically favor space over looks because they are working with limited budgets. The Mormon church and others that get money for church planting from a central entity tend to be more visually appealing as they budget for that. The same reason the City roundabout has a $100,000 art display in the center but my front yard has $0 in art. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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Anglicans checking in! Attached File |
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Originally Posted By intheburbs: It's function over form. Required on a limited budget. Hard to make pretty stuff when you don't have an inexhaustible supply of slave labor. In medieval times the structure itself was to the glory of God. 60's and 70' churches "in the round" were intended to enhance the worshipper experience. In Catholic churches some of the architectural features are mandated - altar, tabernacle, pulpit. I have not been to many protestant churches, nor any non-denominational/mega-churches. Do they have altars? But those kinds of things affect architecture. |
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
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Originally Posted By dogsplat: I see quite a few churches strip center spaces and otherwise depressed/chronically vacant type properties. Makes sense if you ask me. Jesus wasn't too flashy. His looks will kill you |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By Marie: The A frames from the 60s and 70s are ugly. My Orthodox Church was built in 2005. It was modeled on Hagia Sophia. Also had gorgeous iconography.  |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By MRW: Please post some pictures. I'd love to see the architecture and icons. I'm not Catholic or orthodox, but this is my living room https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/5205/Living_Room_3_23_25-3498386.jpg You can find plenty of photos of Orthodox churches online. |
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Originally Posted By MRW: Please post some pictures. I'd love to see the architecture and icons. I'm not Catholic or orthodox, but this is my living room https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/5205/Living_Room_3_23_25-3498386.jpg  Protestant Tours Beautiful Byzantine Catholic Church |
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Originally Posted By Marie: You can find plenty of photos of Orthodox churches online. |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By MRW: Yes, but you said yours were gourgeous, and I'd like to see those particular things. Originally Posted By MRW: Originally Posted By Marie: You can find plenty of photos of Orthodox churches online. I don’t want to post photos and someone reverse look them up and find out what my parish is. I’ve had people harass me online before so you’ll have to give me a pass. Sorry. |
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Originally Posted By Marie: I don't want to post photos and someone reverse look them up and find out what my parish is. I've had people harass me online before so you'll have to give me a pass. Sorry. Peace of Christ to you. |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By MRW: That's understandable. It's a shame our civilization has come to that. Peace of Christ to you. Originally Posted By MRW: Originally Posted By Marie: I don't want to post photos and someone reverse look them up and find out what my parish is. I've had people harass me online before so you'll have to give me a pass. Sorry. Peace of Christ to you. It really is. I love visiting/seeing beautiful churches. |
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Originally Posted By OregonShooter: Modern Christian churches Typically favor space over looks because they are working with limited budgets. The Mormon church and others that get money for church planting from a central entity tend to be more visually appealing as they budget for that. The same reason the City roundabout has a $100,000 art display in the center but my front yard has $0 in art. Meetinghouse: Weekly worship services, activities during the week. Anyone can come in and see. Attached File Temple: Only for church members. That said, the Salt Lake Temple has been completely renovated over the past 4 years and will be open for tours prior to dedication for most of next year. If you wanna see inside (short of joining anyway  ) this is your chance. Attached File I do enjoy seeing many of the old cathedrals in Europe every time I've visited. |
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I switched churches in the last year, primarily because I was looking for better architecture. Not kidding. I started attending an episcopal cathedral once in a while just to sit in the space, and I've stayed. The theology is tolerable so far. I need the architecture. It's therapeutic. |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.