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10 Most Beautiful Churches
Budget Travel ^ | 04/20/2011 | Terry Ward

Posted on 04/21/2011 8:29:49 PM PDT by loreldan

Just in time for Easter, we've rounded up 10 of mankind's most awe-inspiring odes to faith. Consider this slide show a little piece of heaven on Earth.

Whether or not you're religious, there's no denying that churches are among man's most spectacular creations. From a modern glass-and-pine place of worship deep in the Arkansas countryside to a wooden stave church dating back to the Middle Ages in Norway, we scoured the globe to identify the most breathtaking churches in the world.

(Excerpt) Read more at budgettravel.com ...


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; History; Miscellaneous; Religion
KEYWORDS: church; churches
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To: oyez

One of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever been in is the one in Utrect, Holland. They give guided tours and allow unguided as well. The interior of the bell tower is magnificent. Don’t have a picture or the knowledge to post one but you can google it.


21 posted on 04/21/2011 9:06:41 PM PDT by CTOCS (I live in my own little world. But, it's okay. They know me there....)
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To: oyez

Frank Loyd Wright, Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL.

22 posted on 04/21/2011 9:10:22 PM PDT by oyez (The difference in genius and stupidity is that genius has limits.)
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To: loreldan

In North America, Notre Dame in Montreal.


23 posted on 04/21/2011 9:11:04 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: loreldan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_National_Shrine_of_the_Immaculate_Conception

Washington DC, started in the 20’s. Very nice.


24 posted on 04/21/2011 9:22:40 PM PDT by DariusBane (People are like sheep and have two speeds: grazing and stampede)
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To: loreldan
But most modern churches just aren’t awe-inspiring any more.

Its a matter of cost of time, material and labor. Back in the day, some churches took decades to build. These days time is money, so speed of construction trumps artistry and skill.

25 posted on 04/21/2011 9:25:05 PM PDT by oyez (The difference in genius and stupidity is that genius has limits.)
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To: CTOCS
i've been there, is it st.Janskirke?(sp)

CC

26 posted on 04/21/2011 9:29:36 PM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Wisdom comes from experience. Experience comes from a lack of wisdom.)
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To: loreldan

http://saintfrancisturlock.com/share/mod_gallery/170.jpg

Saint Francis Anglican Church in Turlock, CA - The parish where I serve as Rector. Palm Sunday 2011.

How do I post the image itself?


27 posted on 04/21/2011 9:37:33 PM PDT by Gman (Anglican Priest)
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To: loreldan
Attending Easter services at the Crystal Cathedral was impressive. When the walls opened and the fountains rushed. It was cool.


28 posted on 04/21/2011 9:38:17 PM PDT by Daffynition ("Don't just live your life, but witness it also.")
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To: DariusBane

My brother graduated from the Zoo, too, in 1969! The Chapel is awesome, and the setting, in the mountains, is just gorgeous.


29 posted on 04/21/2011 9:40:47 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: loreldan; mylife

30 posted on 04/21/2011 9:41:33 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: SuziQ

Suzi,

I was born in 1969 so i think he graduated 89?

Yes he patrolled the quad a little latter than your bro! LOL


31 posted on 04/21/2011 9:51:19 PM PDT by DariusBane (People are like sheep and have two speeds: grazing and stampede)
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To: Celtic Conservative

It is St. Martin’s Cathedral. The locals call it “The Dom.”


32 posted on 04/21/2011 9:54:19 PM PDT by CTOCS (I live in my own little world. But, it's okay. They know me there....)
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To: DariusBane
This thread is not about theology. Please take that elsewhere. It is about art.

Actually, you have it backwards. People who truly respect and admire architecture understand it is the "art" of matching form to function. Churches, believe it or not (that's a pun, FYI), have a function - to provide a place for the worship of God.

And Jesus (the particular focus of virtually ALL churches), declared that the Kindom of God is within the human being.

Now follow me here, because this next step is really tricky - that means human beings are the original "churches."

And whaddya know, great cathedrals have been even laid out in the human form.

So I'll tellya what - you take your artistic sneers elsewhere. Put on your black leather jacket over your black t-shirt with your black jeans and black boots, go have a frappachino and do some research. Then when you come back, you can re-read my post with an undestanding of it's artistic, architectually appropriate meaning.

But I do feel for you - imagine someone bringing up God in an artistic discussion about churches! What knuckledraggers some people are!

33 posted on 04/21/2011 9:56:36 PM PDT by Talisker (When you find a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be damn sure it didn't get there on its own.)
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To: Talisker
THE most beautiful church of all is the one attended weekly(at least)...
sorry, couldn't resist..
34 posted on 04/21/2011 10:04:47 PM PDT by xhrist ("You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body. " - C.S. Lewis)
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To: loreldan
If you are ever near West Bend, IA...I would suggest checking out Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Not so much for the church itself (except for one of the photos I've posted below); but for the football field sized grotto that was the life's work of Father Dobberstein. He dedicated his life to building it after being delivered from a severe illness while a Seminarian.

The first photo is inside of the Church; the "Christmas Grotto" where he used all of his finest precious stone specimens...note the large purple stone above the Baby Jesus...it is ONE amethyst.

I've posted a couple of additional photos of the grotto itself, which sits just to the North of the church.


35 posted on 04/21/2011 10:06:51 PM PDT by garandgal
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To: loreldan

Here's a variation on the theme: a modern cathedral that is ALL window.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light was constructed in Oakland from '05 to '08 and a time-lapse can be viewed here.

More photos and some engineering stuff

36 posted on 04/21/2011 10:12:54 PM PDT by skeptoid (The road to serfdom is being paved by RINOs, and Lisa Murkowski is their mascot.)
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To: loreldan
The Cathedral in Toledo, Spain was magnificent. There is an alcove with a raised alter bathed in sunlight making it appear as if the alter is raising towards heaven and angels reach down from the cupola with the chains of the candelabra intertwined with their arms. I think it is called El Transparente.

I simply could not believe human beings could conceive and create something so beautiful.

37 posted on 04/21/2011 10:16:51 PM PDT by MattinNJ (Will a hero rise in 2012?)
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To: Talisker

I apologize. I did not mean to sound as crass at my post is. I love the architectural language of church buildings. I am not snooty or artsy. The amateur hobby started with a study of the Hagia Sophia years ago. I understood them to be trying to bring a sort of portal to God into this world through the dome. I found that fascinating. Then pillars as sacrificial and taboo. Taboo meaning something both profane and sacred.

I agree very much with the evangelical sentiment that a church building is not sacred.

I also thought your posted picture was beautiful.

So my apologies. Their exist plenty of crass and pointless arguments in this world. I did not mean to start one here.


38 posted on 04/21/2011 10:50:49 PM PDT by DariusBane (People are like sheep and have two speeds: grazing and stampede)
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To: loreldan

Well, Italy’s Basilicas kinda’ dominate the list... Heck, they even taught Rembrandt how to paint...


39 posted on 04/21/2011 11:06:15 PM PDT by Gene Eric (*** Jesus ***)
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To: Talisker

Perhaps, my favorite...


40 posted on 04/21/2011 11:06:53 PM PDT by Gene Eric (*** Jesus ***)
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