Why are Church Buildings Different?

Whether you're into Christianity or not, you gotta admit that church buildings are pretty fascinating. They're all over the map in terms of design and feel, and I thought it would be fun to put some thought into why that is. I met my buddy Shelby and went on a bizarre break-neck speed church architecture tour in Southern California to try to understand it better. We literally went unannounced to over 30 churches and learned a lot by looking around and through some fascinating conversations.
I went on the trip expecting to find one thing, and the I found something else. That's always good for the humility meter and makes for a much more interesting trip.
This video has two associated bonus video that I'll link here in case you want more.
Architect Wade Simpson's Firm is Pugsly. Simpson. Coulter. out of Las Vegas - pscarchitects.com/
The best church photos were taken by Linden Gledhill. (specifically at 1:48 and 1:52) Check out more of his outstanding work here: www.flickr.com/photos/1308499...

[@smartereveryday]

I think you did a really good job on this video man. Since I watched it, I can't stop looking at every church building I pass in a different way. That's the mark of a good video for me... it changes the way I look at the world.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+SmarterEveryDay Thanks amigo. It's had the same effect on me.

[@Bob_Squared23]

I as a Lutheran would personally feel at home at either a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox church building if I were to walk into one.

[@jdslow300]

I would normally never expect to find myself on a channel like "Ten Minute Bible Hour' (Baptist -> Agnostic) but I have to say, this host is fantastic. Keep on keeping on.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Joshua Winslow Sounds like we have a similar upbringing Joshua. It may be that we're on the same wavelength because we're asking a lot of the same questions. Thanks for the kind words amigo.

[@SpeedyRK]

THIS IS AN AWESOME VIDEO! No Dumb Questions brought me to your channel and I love your approach to life in general between both the podcast, and your channel. As a Catholic myself, this was super fascinating as I have been to Catholic churches from almost all the different types you talked about and I think you summarized it really nicely at the end there and those are things that I will think about in the future. Fascinating stuff.

[@3Godfree]

Awesome, well put together. Thank you for sharing.

[@KevinMakins]

Absolutely fascinating. Just put out a video about church buildings, and was googling to see what else was out there. Thanks for this. Must have been a fair amount of work.

[@davidwatson9064]

As an architectural intern who’s obsessed with churches design, this was solid.

[@vaboone]

Really interesting vid Matt. I didn’t really give much thought to sacred architecture until I took some theology courses for ministry formation. It’s a fascinating subject and glad you thought about doing it. I’ll also add to that besides stone and groundedness is the 2 “forms” I became familiar with, the Gathering around the altar, and the Cruciform (shape of the cross). God bless!

[@danielponder690]

I love going to different churches and comparing them. I’ve read on architecture a lot and make crude sketches of houses and even churches. This was fascinating and it’s interesting to see how the culture and architecture of the location influences the churches. For high church churches they often rely on symbolism and referential elements which is reflected in their design. Happy travels.

[@UltimateOddball]

Saw your post on YT talk. Thought I'd share a couple of my thoughts. Your overall production is great. The editing is very good, it's engaging, it has a bit of a travel show feel, which is a plus for this kind of video I think. One thing which personally I would enjoy would be a bit more background music for the dialogue heavy parts. Even if the music is quiet, it can give a little bit more of a feeling to what you're saying or showing. You might consider also having breaks in the voiceover where you use the original audio, changing things up a little bit as you go along. Cool video! I thought it was interesting and well done. Have a good one!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

You may be interested to see the churches in Iceland! One our tour there we witnessed some highly stylistic and modern looking architecture styles. Even in a small town of presumably no more than 5,000 people there is often a church building with some crazy facade or some such.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Iceland is on my list. In my mind I picture the churches there having the same feel as the abandoned malls of the United States. I'm very curious to get there and check it out.

[@echobase2000]

Great thoughts, as always. I enjoyed the take at the end, about how the buildings weren't all driven by theology. I'm sure there were pragmatic and practical considerations too. I too would've thought theology was the big thing, but yeah, I can see that's one of several factors. Another element I enjoy when I visit more of the high church buildings is how the artwork, statues, stained glass convey the message along with the actual words being spoken and music being sung. Powerful stuff.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Steve White Hi Steve, thanks for watching. My remark about being prompted to change by good Christian art/architecture wasn't off the cuff as I was recording. I've felt that for a long time, and it was cool to connect with a bunch of churches like that here in the U.S. For whatever reason I don't get into those churches as much here as I do when I travel.

[@AlexCFaulkner]

Wow this was super interesting. Thanks Matt, you have earned my subscription. I recently checked out your channel after hearing your podcast with Destin.

[@homegamerengineer3747]

I really really like this video. I got here from NDQ. I am 1000% sure I would not have stumbled on your content on my own. I really like your presentation style. I enjoy your down-to-earth point of view. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@markrolandmakes]

Great video - I wish I knew you were making it! I've been to Mariners, both San Juan Cap locations (I have a friend that works at the SJ mission), and several Saddleback campuses/venues (which is a whole topic in itself). I've often reflected on how church branding and and its use of resources for facilities are perceived by those outside of the church - it's a fine/weird line between being familiar and welcoming to becoming too over-the-top. Thanks for your tour!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+radiowhir1 My biggest regret from my tour is that I didn't allow myself another week so that I could take more time to connect with the people who attend (or visit) these churches. I would have benefited from picking your brain!

[@bfoz]

Mariner's reminds me so much of Saddleback Church which I visited once when out in CA/San Diego or wherever it is. Not sure if they're related in some way.

[@abenity-tech]

They're not related, just similar cultures.

[@jamesward95]

I am teaching a course this winter on Music and Worship in the Changing Church. This video will be very helpful for the Unit on Visual Arts. Thanks for this!

[@tainadelcaribe]

Found you via the eclipse/iss transiting video from Smartereveryday and though I'm not religious (raised catholic, but seldomly went to churh and when I did it was with our next door nighbors; did complete few sacraments though), I still decide to click on the link in his description. I clicked on this video and I have to say thank you because I learned and saw a different perspective on a question that I didn't really have, but it was something I had wondered about before. Don't know yet if I'll suscribe, but I did find the video interesting. Also, liked the not-preachery style (if you know what I mean); it was educational, fun with a touch of funny so it didn't make me want to click away. Thanks for sharing.

[@theTavis01]

Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers Chruch: Let's install a shooting arcade game!

[@THEMANHEGUY]

Came here from Smarter Every Day and I can safely say you put as much thought and care into your videos as Destin does. Not sure if I can put in a suggestion for your new podcast, but I might as well try. I am a 20 year old college student who looks up to Destin a lot as a quality man, father, and husband. I was just wondering if in the show you could here and there do episodes about your guy's perspectives on marriage and father and just being a man of integrity. Thanks so much!!!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+EarltheIII thanks very much for swinging by this way and checking out my channel. I also tremendously respect my friend Destin, and especially respect the way he handles marriage and fatherhood. That is something we're going to talk about as the podcast moves forward.

[@ashokvijay247]

1) I subbed you. 2) you made a really really GOOD and Clean video about the topic and helped me to understand churches. I am from India.

[@mrosilvR7]

Good question and even better answer. Thanks for the time and effort put into this video.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Michael David Roth My pleasure. This one was a treat to make.

[@MireyaRivera]

I've been in various church buildings over the years, from different denominations, to different cultures, etc. and I mostly thought pretty similar to your assumptions going in. So, it was cool to learn something new. Thanks :)

[@Phazon8058MS]

My church's building is interesting. It was originally a manor built for one of the old captains of industry back 100 years ago on the ritzy-est street in town. It changed hands a few times before my congregation bought it from the dentist that owned it a few decades ago. Then the congregation hired an architectural firm to construct an addition to the building that contains the sanctuary. What's amazing, is that the firm was able to find the exact same stone that was used for the exterior of the original house 100 years ago, so the addition looks practically seamless.

[@johnpaulramsay]

Very cool. My brother conducted his thesis in college on church architecture and theology. One of the big things I remember from his study is the placement of the baptistery. He looked at a Catholic Church, a traditional southern baptist church, and a non denominational church. Good stuff.

[@johnpaulramsay]

Oh wow. This video is old. Clearly I have some catching up to do.

[@alexanderhurteau4015]

Personally, I am a United Methodist. What I find interesting about my denomination is how some congregations have very evangelical roots, while others are very traditional. There are some UMC's that are in shopping plazas, but the majority have older buildings.

[@Jereton]

What an effort! Great job! : )

[@enriquemoran1637]

Wow, Matt! This video was carefully done with a great effort, I understand this topic a lot better than I used to. May God continue to bless you! By the way, there is a great Catholic Church near my house, called La Catedral de Santa Ana, maybe you should Google it :)

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Enrique Moran Thanks! It was a good amount of work, but a lot of fun to make. I looked up Santa Ana. Wow! You weren't kidding.

[@GkellyJ]

Whoa, this video was super interesting! It's gotten me thinking about the churches I've been to: little A-frame, large Catholic church, hip, young Bible church...

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+GkellyJ What I got to in these videos barely even scratches the surface. I'm with you - the more I think about it, the more I revisit the churches I've been a part of in the past.

[@roisincassidy]

This was so interesting, well worth watching even just for general interest.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks Roisin. I think this kind of stuff in fascinating just because it's fascinating.

[@revrusselltrokon133]

Well, the Lord bless you. For such a beautiful inview at each church. That is fine thing to do. That will help other to understand what is happening to know whether what kind of big church is this? And u will also know the differenc. Good to have u on this program. Pastor: Russell

[@AthanGreen337495]

Enjoyed this video very much

[@sunpro9146]

Awesome video - we are talking ready for "Network TV" awesome. Thanks.

[@JohnTindale]

I heard a talk one time on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral that speaks to the influence of Scripture/ Experience/ Reason/ Tradition and how the architecture of a church shows the focus. I'd love to see a follow-up that expanded on this idea.

[@enanneman]

Very good video and it so really demonstrated the difference between Protestant and Catholic ideologies. The Protestant churches seemed to want to adapt to what the people in the congregations wanted. The Catholic Churches seemed to want to adapt the people in the congregations to what eternal truth had revealed. I know which one speaks to me. Man should adapt to God, not the other way around. God bless!

[@traildog_adventures]

Eric Nanneman seems to me there is a place for each type. If it makes people more comfortable to go to a contemporary church does it really matter since they are all going to get the same message?

[@Logan-qi4nx]

God came down to earth in human form to be tortured and die for us. The churches of the first century were run in gymnasiums, explaining the domes of the orthodox churches. How fitting it is that modern Protestant churches are also gyms.

[@xtusvincit5230]

@@Logan-qi4nx You have your history mixed up. In the first three centuries under persecution, the church was underground and had no buildings. They met in the catacombs and in private homes. After 312ad, when Christianity became legal they needed a building type that could house both the sacred part (altar, pulpit) and the people. These parts are called the sanctuary and the nave. The building form they chose was the basilica which had an apse for the sanctuary and a large columned open space for the congregation. The basilica architectural form was used for market places and baths and yes, gymnasiums. But Christians didn't worship in gymnasiums. For more see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_cathedrals_and_great_churches#Basilica_2

[@johnsambo9379]

Eric please read more.

[@andrewbartlett8923]

I found your film very enjoyable and every Church you showed gave me some pleasure, funnily in equal amount. I think it great the Christian Faith can provide such inspiring and inviting places in which to worship I feel I should like some better than others but no I love them all the same . Is that I wonder because like all Christ's children I bring Christ within me to any Christian place of worship. Thankyou for a most enjoyable tour, Andrew.

[@jonorme6610]

Very neat. What are your thoughts on church bodies that don't meet in dedicated church buildings? Mine, for example, is mainly college students, and we gather in lecture hall. Also one of the branches of my home church meet in groups in people's homes three Sundays out of the month and then all combine at a day camp for the fourth. How do you think this reflects on their intentions?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I think it's cool, but not necessarily reflective of theology. Sometimes churches are just getting off the ground and that's all they can afford; whereas other times it's a conscious choice to say "we don't need a building to be the church, and a building will just slow us down." I get and respect both.

[@Adamborries]

3:50 "United Methodist churches have a lot of historical features, mingled with a lot of things that look very hip, new, and progressive... especially two generations ago." 😂

[@joelancon7231]

Greek older then Rome? dude they were the same church for a while...

[@moxieman3304]

Exactly; they were both Catholic until Orthodox seperated from rome in about 1000 A.D.

[@David-pf9xe]

@@moxieman3304 correction. Rome separated from the East. Peter was the first among equals. He was long gone when the Bishop of Rome started claiming supremacy. The Roman Church has always wanted complete control, and in return has done nothing but cause fracture after fracture.

[@moxieman3304]

@@David-pf9xe Don't lie... The Holy Catholic Church will always be the church Christ Himself founded in 33 A.D.

[@moxieman3304]

@Jonathan Williams you know nothing about the catholic church

[@moxieman3304]

@Jonathan Williams stop watching The History Channel and get out into the real world

[@embelslishments]

Interesting that you thought the Catholic church looks old. Here in Europe that stands out as a VERY modern looking church!

[@julieolson3649]

I had the chance to visit Lyon France in 2018. The architecture was amazing!!

[@abuhado-verbigraciaramirez8682]

It looks very much Spanish style building

[@AlexanderLittlebears]

Incorrect

[@americano3472]

Great video. But it’s just historically ignorant to say that the Greek Orthodox Church is older than the Roman Catholic Church. Both churches were functionally independent of one another but in communion together and had a mutual split in 1054. Catholics will tell you the orthodox split from them, the orthodox will tell you the Catholics split from them. In reality it was a mutual split. But back to my point, from a secular perspective it is not historically accurate to say the Orthodox Church predates the Catholic Church or is older than it.

[@xtusvincit5230]

The Orthodox say their church dates to Pentecost. The Catholic Church dates to Jesus saying: "Thou art Peter and upon this rock ..."

[@EvanC0912]

@@xtusvincit5230 not really, Catholics also believe the "birthday" of the church is on Pentecost

[@xtusvincit5230]

@@EvanC0912 There are various birthdates of the Church. The primitive Church considered the water and blood from the side of Christ on the cross as a birth image, the Church being born from the side of Christ.

[@xtusvincit5230]

My point is that Orthodoxy is defective without the See of Peter.

[@Wordsnwood]

Interesting video, Matt. Of course, not everyone can start from scratch either... Our church building was put up in around 1890 by a Baptist congregation. Our church congregation bought that building around 1950. The congregation itself has changed considerably in the past 60 years. The building, not so much. There have been a few renovations since then. But there are definite tradeoffs when you're trying to be modern and relevant and welcoming, but you have a 100+ year old building that you are "stuck" with.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+wordsnwood You might appreciate Grace Church in this supplementary video I made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o168l52NpJKgetk It's a church that sounds like it has a lot in common with yours. They've gradually made adaptations to their building to move it toward what they're trying to be, but they've also had to figure out how to work with the hand they were dealt. Seems like they're doing a great job with it.

[@Wordsnwood]

+The Ten Minute Bible Hour I think you posted the wrong link, as that takes me into youtube analytics, and gives me an error. (Sounds like we've done some of the same stuff as Grace Church)

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+wordsnwood My bad. Should be good to go now.

[@Wordsnwood]

+The Ten Minute Bible Hour Got it! :-)

[@cissin1281]

Very interesting!

[@robertross8431]

Dope Video man on the purpose of different churches, and how they reflective unique cultural heritages and different ways to worship God.....

[@remybedard9940]

There’s a Greek Orthodox church in my town that looks vaguely Graeco-futuristic???

[@courtweathers4770]

Regarding blooper, the bible stand at the United Methodist Church: is the stand designed to be read from the other side, and it rotates? What was on the other face, the book of common prayer? BTW, This is the first of your videos I have watched. Now subscribed!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thank you sir! I don't remember at this point what was on the other side, just that the podium height was set for Nephilim.

[@lizhumble9953]

I wish you had a chance to see a traditional Quaker Meeting house. They are called meeting houses not churches because they are just that, intended to be a meeting space for people to worship, regroup and go out in the community. There are generally no decorations often not even a cross because there is a movement to simplicity. In the beginning of meeting houses the benches faced the middle, because there were no preachers the whole meeting was open worship. I would invite you to see ours but although the meeting started in the 1700s the meetinghouse went through many rebuilds, one because soldiers took it apart for firewood. If you get a chance check out a traditional meetinghouse.

[@chiyolioncourt]

You just earned my subscription sir. 😉

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I'm honored. Welcome!

[@loretta_3843]

Very interesting! I was raised Catholic, but it's not for me anymore. You should go to Italy and see the churches there! Just beautiful.

[@johnboyx63]

As a Christian of the Lutheran persuasion let recommend an idea by Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron. (I’m sure he’s not the first) He speaks of Christ’s influence on human creativity. Humans have responded to the story of Jesus by creating an extraordinary amount of beauty in music, architecture and all forms of creative endeavors. So much so that it should be used as an evangelistic tool. As a catholic (little “c”) I appreciate the great, detailed (“High Church”) worship spaces of Eastern and Western Christendom. As a protestant (little “p”) I appreciate spending less on the temporary building, just not as much. Another great video, Matt! Well done!

[@adaranijoabiodunagbosasa7222]

Good job

[@NoahLaMarca]

Interesting video

[@fran6b]

Interesting topic. Nice vid ! :) At first sight, the church who included every aspect of the daily life seems really convenient. But I wonder how the non-religious and the other religious people from a different religion feel about this kind of church ? I could think they feel excluded from the community. I prefer the idea that a church should only have one purpose, i.e. a religious one.

[@shananotz9920]

Honestly, blending it in with a strip mall for convenience seems like more of a distraction to me than anything else. I'd have a hard time paying attention while I'm making a grocery list in my head.

[@muploads5877]

I think it would have been nice to compare some "normal" (small) everyday churches rather than just big churches. In the Middle East there are quite a lot of ruins of old Byzantine churches (or Nestorian?) and it's interesting to think about what the buildings say about people's faith at the time

[@610garage]

Great video. I often looked at grandeuos churches and thought "Couldn't they use that money for something a bit more useful". But after watching your video, I came to another conclusion. I think that you can have two kinds of churches. One being a tool. Just a simple building that you can use to get people in the door and server their needs. Then, I think you can have a monument for God. A building, that when you see it, you know who it was built for. Yea, its expensive, but it's also a great way to show your conviction. I also think that churches vary so much is that because christians very so much. I think that's one of the great things about christianity. It doesn't stress the small stuff, like building types. This allows us to worship in our own unique way. Weather thats in a strip mall, or in a concrete monument. As long as we're worshiping God and not the building, does it really matter?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+610bob I came away from this experience feeling the same way. I think it would have been fun to put all the people who designed these buildings in the same room to design one single church. I think they would have been baffled by the big concerns their colleagues brought to the table but, after talking to many of these people, I think they would have realized the same thing you do: That there's more than one valid way to think about a church building.

[@theothertoddg]

That, and you have to imagine that those big, stone buildings will probably last for hundreds of years while more modern structures will weather and decay thus requiring more buildings to be built over the same time span. You could almost make the argument that the cathedral style is actually more cost effective given enough time.

[@shananotz9920]

I think part of the permanence of the old monument structures hints at exactly the opposite. The timelessness shows that previous centuries of Christians had no consideration for changing worship styles because worship was not meant to change. Worship as it was, was instituted by God for all men of all times, because it was how HE wished to be worshipped. Earlier Christians wouldnt have considered allowing changes for diverse human preferences to supersede God's way of wishing to be worshipped, and i think the lasting quality of the buildings they built reflect that.

[@dm_nimbus]

I just moved to Boston, and my fiancée and I are looking for a church to attend, and it's interesting to see those buildings in light of this information. Each of them has a slightly different thing going on. There's a church plant that meets in a school, and old Baptist church building that is used by several different congregations, and of course good ol' Park Street downtown, which is full of history. I like listening to the reasoning behind design decisions, so thank you for putting up your findings.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+James Craver If I'm ever in a spot where I'm looking for a church to attend in a new town, what I picked up on this trip will definitely help me too.

[@smartereveryday]

+James Craver Are you a Kurzgesagt fan?

[@dm_nimbus]

+SmarterEveryDay Yessir! I support them on Patreon (and you, too 😆)

[@smartereveryday]

+James Craver Thanks! I support them as well!

[@leticiaarrabis9227]

James Craver Look for the nearest chapel of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in Boston! You will never regret it like the rest!

[@kimberlyblane3470]

There is another type of "church" that you didn't take into account: The church that is solely the body of believers and meets in each others homes breaking bread as they did in the NT. I personally would love to see your reaction to studying the history of the home church.

[@justiniand6a788]

Those types of Churches really only appear in countries where Christianity is under persecution.

[@kimberlyblane3470]

@Jonathan Williams Most, but not all. They do exist in the US.

[@bhhNC]

My recent experience with churches reveals another motivation for church facility design - whether the (a-hem) 'worship experience' is fun and maximizes brand loyalty. Seemed off-target, in all of its guises...more of an entertainment/amusement/virtue-signalling opportunity than something which honors God by reminding us that He is wrathful and we are, basically, dirt in His eyes until we cultivate repentance & humility. Not fun, because cultivating repentance & humility is Work, takes Time, and limits one's ability to comfortably float in a stream of flattery, watered-down responsibilities, and popular media. BTW - thanks for the thoughtful videos. We're really enjoying the Bible study & comparative religion ones.

[@ego347]

woah...glad I subbed

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Ehren O Me too :)

[@davidgriffeth4522]

Latter day Saint and love your channel. I enjoy learning about other religions

[@rogermetzger7335]

You may also fined in interesting to study the HISTORY of various beliefs - who first taught certain things and when and where and why.

[@davidgriffeth4522]

@@rogermetzger7335 thank you for that recommendation.

[@rogermetzger7335]

@@davidgriffeth4522 I have a friend who is currently working on a doctorate through the University of Oxford (in England). His area of study is religious trends in North America in the nineteenth century.

[@robertbooker4949]

Thank you Mate. I to believed that the structure of the Church was a story in of itself. I still do for some. I know the Methodist churches also tell a story of Christ and God's love. The Stain glass usually tells a story too. I am Methodist even though I am now none-denominational pastor. I still go to a Methodist Church too. Long story. I liked the video but have to say with all that I am doing and trying to do I might not find time to view you each week. This answer is being typed out at 11:35 PM which is making a very long day. Sometimes I don't get to the SM until later than this. I am glad that I can follow you and hope that following me added to you too. Through Christ all things are Possible.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks for stopping by Robert. I know everyone has a billion things to do, so I'll keep them short - hopefully that helps. There's a beautiful Methodist church in town here that sounds a lot like those you're describing in terms of using stained glass to tell the story of Jesus.

[@kanadezosGT]

You should come to my Island of Crete in Greece. The mix of really old Churches(talking about 960 AD or even earlier) and the modern expression of the Greek Orthodox faith will amaze you. Just google Μονή Αρκαδίου for a small taste.

[@DrewPalmquist]

Matt, I don’t know if you know that but new song church, was there church where they filmed how to save a life

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Wait. What? I love those guys. Seriously, that's their church?

[@thefunkyparables]

Nice Vid Matt!!- From big to small churches, as long as it's about Jesus, it's COOL!! - Peace and God Bless!!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Agreed. I think these churches were all getting that right.

[@rickeguitar9086]

Thank you for making a series of videos showing the manifold varieties we Christians express worship to God. When you consider the purpose of the Christian church is to worship the Maker of heaven and earth, our heavenly Father cannot be narrowed into a single thought or expression. The New Testament does not provide specific instructions on how a church gathering is to look. That is because God has allowed us to use the gift of creativity He has imparted to us to express our love of Him! So whether it is a formal or informal setting, so long as the worshippers are ascribing worth to the Savior Jesus Christ who has come to redeem the world that is all that matters. Each church culture will model a part of the body of Christ. When I see these videos, it makes me wonder what heaven must look like as it is His gathering place! What a truly AWESOME place that must be!

[@noahelhardt5589]

Nice video. I've often noticed (having grown up in these traditions) that evangelical churches tend to put much less effort or money into making buildings beautiful when compared to Orthodox or Catholic communities. (Recently that has changed some, and many newer buildings are stylish... but still not often beautiful.) I wonder if that reflects a difference in the theology of the physical world. Evangelicals have a tendency to flirt with gnosticism, treating everything that is physical as passing and not worth investing in. Money, we reason, shouldn't be spent on beautiful buildings, but rather on feeding the poor, on housing the homeless, on loving the lost. After all, the physical will all burn some day anyway, right? While this kind of reasoning sounds good and seems to have biblical support on the surface, I think it does God, us humans, and all of creation a disservice by A) marginalizing our physical humanity and B) the creativity God has put in us. Literally the first thing we learn about ourselves in Genesis is that we were created in the image of a creative God, who had and continues to create unspeakable beauty. If we say God abides in us, then everything we do ought to reflect his character (and will, whether we intend it, or not!). And so, while I find it imperative that church communities continue to worship God by tangibly loving those around them and exploring the truth together, I've also started to really appreciate church buildings that were obviously designed and built with thoughtfulness, creativity, and a love of the beautiful. They not only speak of who God is, but help bring me, the whole me, into an awareness of God's presence.

[@theothertoddg]

That's an interesting point. However, what do you think cost more in the long run, building a massive stone church that'll last for centuries and be large enough to compliment growing populations, or building churches using basic techniques that'll only last for a generation or two. I would think, given enough time, that the permanent cathedral style churches would be a better investment.

[@MrMiz1113]

I’d speculate that part of the reason for the difference is that in both Catholicism and Orthodoxy, the Mass or Divine Liturgy is viewed in both a sacramental and sacrificial light which would lead to a natural desire to make a building worthy of such. Moreover, both RCC and EO go back to Apostolic Times and both have had the ability to build churches on a monumental scale. Having that in one’s history would tend to make people more likely to continue to do so, at least to me.

[@johnsambo9379]

@@theothertoddg An investment in what is the question.

[@AlexanderLittlebears]

@@johnsambo9379 HERETIC

[@marshahovenesian8142]

I guess I want my church to look like a church. Many of these churches look like auditoriums. By the way, he said something about the fact that some of these churches are adapting to the people. Not sure I completely agree with that concept. Our churches need to be a house of worship and not a place to make us warm and fuzzy. All these other things that are part of the facilities make me think about when Jesus overthrew the money changer tables at the temple. Would He be happy with what the churches have become??

[@JayKnight]

For more details of the layout of an Orthodox Church, this is a nice primer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGqzi3d5qMmIZ68

[@MasterTop100]

No Dumb Questions got me here!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I like those guys, and I'll definitely thank them Jim.

[@MasterTop100]

tehehe -I see what you did there.

[@Ian-nl9yd]

remember the church i went to as a kid had stained glass and a giant vaulted ceiling and all that, but it was made entirely out of plain varnished wood, inside and out, except for the floor which was a plain red carpet. it was lutheran, dont know how typical that contrast is of lutheran churches

[@TheCookwork]

Hello brother , this is Nelson here and i can share and subscribe .God bless you .@navedfreedom

[@user-wz5gc2td9s]

I was raised protestant (now orthodox) and i HATED the way my church looked 😅. I never got the sense that i was entering a place of worship. Just a place to be entertained (though i was never entertained either). No judgements from me if that's your kinda thing. My parents are all about it lol. But for me, when I enter my small parish, lit by candle light and rays of natural light made even more visible by the incense smoke, and i see myself surrounded by the icons of Christ and his saints, i sense a deeper connection to Him. Like I'm visiting Him and not the other way around. The timelessness of my church encourages me to put aside worldly cares and modern presuppositions of what the Gospel should be about and on what it was, is, and will be forever and ever.

[@jmjaquinas7298]

That was really interesting! Ever thought about doing a similar video in Wyoming? Also, How do you figure Orthodoxy is older than Catholicism? No history I’ve read claims that

[@bfoz]

1054? Thought the Catholics "split" and were created at that point, leaving the Orthodox Christians.

[@andrewbeaudry6046]

Incorrect! The great schism was when the orthodox broke off the Roman Catholic Church. Eastern Orthodox is NOT older. God Bless

[@Jrayhood]

nope.. that is wrong catholic church is the oldest.the orthodox christians separated from the church in the 1045

[@cristeromexico3366]

Atlin C.S Christ handed the keys to the Kingdom to all of the apostles and after a few hundred years the Church in Rome thought it was superior. Orthodoxy didn’t just spring up in 1054 it has existed as long as the Catholic one

[@johnsambo9379]

@@Jrayhood Your history is wrong. Greek versions of the bible are older than the Latin ones. Catholics continually change their religion to fit the times. It's not old at all.

[@chuckHart70]

Since 33 A.D.

[@ladillalegos]

Definitely interesting video, but I think it's important to point out what the doctrines of each "denomination" are, and if they are biblical or not. And most important are they just preaching about Teddy Bears and rainbows and what can God do for you instead of the other way around.?

[@williamofdallas]

4:15 "The Greek Church is actually even older than the Roman Catholic Church"... those are fighting words, Matt!

[@leonardosorianialves6903]

Cool video, Matt! Here in Brazil the architecture of the catholic churches is much more modern. Check for instance the cathedral of my hometown Maringá kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIiwf2hoptSbfa8 (the tallest church of South America) or the cathedral of the capital Brasilia kzbin.info/www/bejne/apbXY61_a5p4m68. The vids are in portuguese but you can see what I mean.

[@fisherstrong6]

This is why in my opinion the separation of church and state works to the demise of the countries culture. Grand cathedrals are strong basically castle lake and they stand the test of time. Orthodox churches along with Catholic Churches are what what protestants should aspire towards, it helps set the tone for the community and is something to be proud of and let outsiders know that you may practice whatever religion you want but this is a Christian nation. Unfortunately Americanism gets in the way of that and we see the fruits of that labor within our culture.

[@kategreaves_daisies1000]

"Amazing!"

[@angelstrong6108]

very cool you mentioned a Basilica i beleive there are 75 in the US what makes them special is that the pope made them basilicas and in this country he will stop and give a sermon you might want to check them out on line

[@bridgefin]

It seems that the biggest distinction is between buildings which in which reverence and quiet move the person to change versus others in which no change of the person is suggested. Greek Orthodox Church is NOT older than the Roman Catholic Church. Jesus established ONE church before he left. All of what is now Roman Catholic or Orthodox was inside that one Church. In 1054 the Eastern portion of the church broke off and called themselves "Orthodox". Orthodox as a separate Orthodox Church is less than a thousand years old, but with the Roman Catholic Church they go back to the time of Christ.

[@drjanitor3747]

Bridgefin Protestant churches are bland, empty. They stand as Metaphors for the absence of the Holy Ghost and divine inspiration in the Protestant religions.

[@bridgefin]

@@drjanitor3747 I can agree. I went to a COngregational church for a baptism once and entered this large white space. Nice building, good architecture and pleasant accents in design. But I had the overwhelming feeling that there was no one there. It was empty!. If you're Catholic you know what I mean.

[@benjaminvancaspel3782]

I've always appreciated Alain de Botton's critique of churches in the Architecture of Happiness and his series on UK TV. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpKvaYZtq7d0aNUm28s I know that you concluded saying that some churches didn't seem to think about theology in their selection of buildings, I think that they were making implicit choices that are reflections of their theology. Coming from places with generally much smaller churches, I couldn't see the difference between the Catholic/High Church and relevance focused Evangelicals in how ostentatious their buildings are. I struggle with the relevance focused church's alignment with commerce. Is church a consumer experience? Is it an aspirational environment that transcends my own wealth? Is Disneyland the current model for US megachurches? So all those buildings preach to me. The church is sadly often only a feedback loop on the wider culture rather than at the bleeding edge of culture and it is disappointing that the churches that often take stylistic risks in their buildings are predominantly Catholic, eg. Tadao Ando's Church or Light, Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut & Kenzo Tange's St Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo. All of those relatively 'old' buildings are more innovative than most US megachurch campuses today. And yes, sometimes there are attempts made by reformed groups to have more innovative designs, like the Anglican Barney's in Sydney (yet it reads as an homage to Ando's work rather than something cut from a new cloth) but as de Botton points to, that's also a reflection of their God.

[@bfoz]

Interesting. I wonder if the Catholic churches are better funded and thus able to innovate more with their designs?

[@lostlonelydude]

Man you are beautiful and God Bless you!

[@chucks2018]

When you're saved, you are a priest and a king - you are the authority. The leaders over you are also authorities, but not the building.

[@klogseries1087]

i think of you really like to see theology try the orthodox church, just my opinion

[@shananotz9920]

Those icons 😍

[@harrystones2238]

A few of the old 'Catholic' churches you showed at the start aren't actually Catholic. Thinking about the English ones, I think they may have once been so but not built as such.

[@chuckjohnson6349]

I forgot to mention to also study symbolism.

[@hoguemr]

Wow really cool video Matt. It's amazing how different Christians can be but when it comes down to it it's all the same message. Super interesting

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Gracias Ryan!

[@Rynopb]

The Church the church Church's Chicken

[@aaronlowry8273]

He's not exactly accurate when he says that the Greek Church is older than the Catholic Church. While he is correct that there were Christians in Greece (and also the Middle East) before Italy - he made one error. He assumed that the Catholic Church was only comprised of the Church of Rome. The Catholic Church actually is organized in a similar way to the Eastern Orthodox Church. There are 24 Independent Catholic Churches all with their own hierarchies, all of which submit to the authority of the pope. There is the Latin Church (Church of Rome) and there are 23 Eastern Catholic Churches which have their origins in the Middle East. Some have always been in communion with Rome and stayed with Rome during the schism, and some were orthodox and decided to become Catholic. Some of the Eastern Catholic Churches which have there origin in the middle east predate christianity in Greece, and these churches are indeed an integral pat of the entire Catholic Church.

[@graciouscompetentdwarfrabbit]

I think he was talking about the Church building that he showed.

[@HaloReachStar17]

hi matt its matt croom Twitter

[@gerrydelacruz8081]

I know that God will allow me to visit those famous churches in Europe, Americas, Asia, and Africa.

[@oscarin13]

Here in Mexico, Evangelicals and Baptists are no better. I mean, every single city has a Cathedral (or at least, a Catholic Chapel). But Evangelicals and Baptists usually don't have a specific arquitecture. My grandmother went to a small Baptist Church that didn't look like a Church. It was just a small building. Of course, the worship was still awesome. I went to an Evangelical Church in which the sermon was given in a cinema theater (at 10 A.M. there was no one in the cinema) but I dropped it after just a few sermons later because they were more like motivational talks rather than preaching. In a nutshell, you could just gather a small congregation in a small house and that would be the average evangelical church.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I think everything you're describing sounds unique and cool. Christians have access to God even if they just meet in their house at odd times. That's one of the best things about how this whole deal is.

[@fitzhamilton]

Not to be a dink, but Peter went to Rome about 40, about fifteen years after he arrived in Antioch. Paul was there around 60 and is held to have even gotten to Iberia, they both were martyred in Rome about 64. Christian missionaries preceded both of them into the West. The Church in Rome was founded only a year or two later - at bloody most - than the Church in Jerusalem. Remember the apostles preaching to the multitude at Passover in tongues? One of those tongues was Latin. The Latin and Greek churches are of equally ancient origin, which is to say 33 in the upper room at Pentecost when the Universal Church, Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church was charismated by God the Paraclete. The Orthodox and Catholic churches are the same Church, or else there is no Church at all. And the Church has only one origin, one date of origin.

[@fitzhamilton]

This issue really gets my goat. I bet you can tell. Love your work, it's good stuff.

[@despaahana]

Seeker sensitive vs Spirit sensitive

[@BoundyMan]

Another thing to take into consideration is the money and resources the church has.

[@vlad555556]

Life Church from Boise!

[@sudonim7552]

Mariners is the church I go to weekly. Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

[@kawtharmarhoon2481]

Like it

[@IamGrimalkin]

1:28 I love tea. 1:48 Are you sure that's catholic? That looks like St Paul's Cathedral to me. 4:36 I think problem about symbolism in church buildings is that often most people in the congregation are unaware of it, taking away the point. Maybe it might be worth churches having a sermon explaining the symbolism behind their church building. 5:37 I heard that the reason some older churches look a bit like upside-down ships is because they were built by shipbuilders.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+IamGrimalkin 1:28 - Deep down I thought you might. 1:48 - That is Sant' Andrea Della Valle in Rome. 4:36 - I didn't come away with the impression that most people sitting in the pews would have been consciously thinking about most of the design elements in their churches, but art can be effective in communicating in subconscious ways as well. I'd be all for the overt approach you describe though.

[@leticiaarrabis9227]

IamGrimalkin The cross in most Catholic and Protestant cathedrals, chapels, and cemeteries is a representation of those criminals who killed Christ, His Apostles, and the first-century Christians!

[@vinnie603]

Nice but surprising video for a European over here 😊. Coming here through "SmarterEveryDay", I find myself (strangely enough) reacting to you video. Although I don't believe in God at all, I had a sort of christian upbringing. What I do think atheists can have in common with religious people is spirituality. As an architect I am very much attracted to the great cathedrals and spiritual places that were build over time. It's funny that those modern( I would call it commercialized) churches are called a church. Here in Belgium those would be called parochial community centers. But a church here is more become the place for a ceremonie an introverted experience. For me the mother of churches could be the pieve di corsignano in Pienza, Italy. It is an insanely beautiful roman church dated from the 12 century. It's really is one of the most spiritual places I've ever visited besides nature.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+vinnie603 I appreciate where you're coming from. I think church buildings in Europe are usually intended to mean something different than they do in the U.S., and I think a big part of that is just age. Old buildings are time capsules that give us insight into what people in the past prioritized highly, and, in a sense, when we go into those old churches we encounter God along side those people who came before us. I completely agree that a sense of spirituality is a nearly universal aspect of humanity whether expressed through Christian theism or even agnostic/atheistic spiritual sensitivity. As a Christian I think that was put there by God, and even though I know not everyone agrees with me on that, I still greatly value the points of commonality on that aspect of life I share with those who generally see it different.