As a life-long non-conformist I’ve spent my life worshipping Jesus in ugly church buildings. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an attractive looking FIEC church (the association I grew up in) and that would almost be true for Newfrontiers (the movement I’ve spent the last 25 years in). These buildings have been functional and in some cases built without reference to an architect (or maybe ones not worthy of the name). There are stories of faith, service, sacrifice and generosity in each one and I wouldn’t want to disparage those things in any way. This is simply an observation that they built ugly. In the case of Newfronties these churches have often bought cinemas, warehouses, nightclubs, industrial units – they’ve gone big and retro-fitted them as best they could. These refitted spaces are designed for multiple uses, for hiring as conference venues, for community, for offices for all sorts of good things but they have not been built with much thought to the connection between beauty and worship.

At the same time I’ve observed a split attitude towards the church buildings that, say, their Anglican friends might have. They would admire the cathedrals and minsters and love to look at them but not one of them would actually want them for their own. They don’t and understandably so want the hassle of having their lead roofs stolen, dealing with massive heating bills or being stuck (in many cases) with uncomfortable pews and immovable objects. Historic buildings are without doubt a mixed blessing. They do remind of us past glories, our history, what has shaped our landscape, they are instantly recognisable as churches and are in many cases at the heart of their communities – but they are often inflexible, expensive and cold.

But what I’ve rarely seen though is a non-conformist church with an eye both for beauty and function. When it comes to new buildings they have often built fairly ugly buildings that look right at home in an out of town office park or industrial estate. As someone with an amateur’s interest in architecture I’ve noticed that when some of the historical denominations build a new church they often tend to build two buildings. They build a sanctuary and then they build nearby or connected to the sanctuary a second building. This second building carries out the community functions that churches need as part of their ministry. In other words they build for both beauty and function.

And to be honest, the church I lead may never have a beautiful building but that doesn’t mean I don’t long for a beautiful space to worship in. When I think of the craftsmanship of the tabernacle or temple, or the natural beauty of the garden temple at the beginning of all things and the majesty of the city-temple at the end of all things it makes me slightly grumpy that I have to put up with so much ugliness here in the middle. I understand the practical constraints, I understand the limitations of space, budget and opportunity but not the limitations of imagination and creativity.

Here are a few arguments for building beautiful buildings and building for beauty (but not forgetting to build spaces of use, practicality, service, hospitality). Maybe you can think of some more.

1. God is a God of beauty. Anything you see in the world that is beautiful was made by God. He loves colour, majesty, detail, grandeur, skill.
2. People are drawn to beauty. They want to be around it, near it, in it, to take photos of it, to sit in it, pray in it, meditate in.
3. People find peace and even if they don’t believe in God, often experience something ‘sacred’ in places of beauty.
4. In essence, our love of beauty is an aid to worship and an expression of our being made in the image of God.
5. They can tell stories and picture theology to people (which is why they were often cross-shaped or pointed east and so on) and can at their best invite curiosity and conversation.

Either way if you have opportunity find a beautiful building and restore it or if you build from scratch don’t forget beauty in your plans.

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Sources

• EMBT tops San Giacomo Apostolo church with undulating copper roof
• Dramatic Photos of Modernist Church Interiors Capture the Beauty of “Sacred Spaces”
• Photographer Captures Glorious Interiors of Modernist Churches Around the World
• Italian Church Design Is Stunning Dedication to the Episcopal Church’s Youngest Saint
• White-metal fins form abstract exterior of Büro Ziyu Zhuang’s Chamber Church