Why are the old Cathedrals so beautiful, and why do US Protestant churches look like trailers, mess halls,?

Question

and stadiums?

Answer 1

mine is gorgeous!! its 12 yrs old and we have 3000 members.....be nice....

Answer 2

Even 'modern' Catholic Cathedrals do not have the grandeur of the 'old world/european' cathedrals. Much has to do with times in which they were built and the state of the Catholic churches influence, etc. Remember that the Protestant Reformation was partially fueled by the fact that the RCC spent incredible amounts of money on building those cathedrals, while the peasant-class barely survived on what they were paid, etc. The abuse of the priestly class toward the peasant population was pretty horrible.
Most US churches are not nearly as grand as the old cathedrals, the protestant ones, especially, were build plain to reflect their belief that wealth and religion do not belong together.

Answer 3

Depends on the year and age of the church and how much money a congregation is willing to spend. Most congregations would rather spend God's money on helping His people. On the other hand I know of a lot of beautiful old protestant churches. The Church where I attend and serve was built as a memorial gift in the early 1900's. They brought forty stone masons from Scotland who hand cut and dressed each stone. The bell tower stands 75 feet tall. Inside there are 18 feet oak doors and a wooded vaulted ceiling.It is an absolutely gorgeous church. We have had a a lot of recognition for the building. The problem is that we spend a lot of money keeping the building in good shape. Money that should be used to further God's kingdom. Being the Body of Christ has very little to do with the building that you are in. I can love and worship God in any building.

Answer 4

That is a very good question. I think it would be wonderful if all places of worship were as beautiful as some of the cathedrals you mentioned. Perhaps it is that with churches today, the focus is more on the ministry than it is on outward appearances because any appearance of money donated in church going to finance a fancy or ornate building could be perceived as wasteful, whereas putting that same money into a ministry would go to better use. Also, many protestant churches today have more of a warehouse feel in order to make those who would not ordinarily attend a church because of that "traditional church feel", feel more comfortable attending church. Just a theory - don't know if it's true or not.

Answer 5

The builders of the medieval cathedrals knew that they were creating something that would outlast them. Today the nearest thing we have to that is the space program.

They felt a sense of connectedness to the past and the future. so an artisan would devote his life to giving the very best of his skills to build a cathedral, even knowing that he would not live to see it completed.

This is like the dedication of scientists at JPL and NASA who labor to make the way for human colonization of space, not knowing when or where this may be accomplished.

The poverty of Protestantism starts with Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the attachment of their cold severe Christianity to a mere book, severed from the church.

Aristotle had set out the virtues of goodness, truth and beauty, two thousand years earlier, but the continental Reformation made mere words their focus.

The English were wiser; they continued to respect and treasure and preserve ancient beauty, mostly surviving the era of iconoclasm under Edward following Henry's death.

Answer 6

It isn't just churches. Look around. All modern architecture is highly functional. There is a notable coldness and lack of character. Presumably our forbears had more depth or creativity. So it isn't just churches. Compare an 1840's Court House with something contemporary. In any event,most buildings are based on standardized blueprints,so building anything in a gothic style would require an original plan,which costs an awful lot.

Answer 7

Money, my dear.
The cathedrals built in Europe were funded by the government or the Vatican. Both have mucho denero. And, most churches in the USA were built from contributions from the congregations, who are generally poor to middle class. Btw, most are not Protestant.

Answer 8

Because they thought more about show and money than about actually teaching anyone about the bible.
The others actually use their money to help people not keep a few pedofiles in an opulant life style in fancy surroundings.
While they profess to be doing without. they are con artists with out shame. There old Cathedrals will be their tombs.
They burry the babies they have with the nuns under those buildings.

Answer 9

A reflection of the times and culture.

If you'll notice, most of those old cathedrals are nearly empty on Sundays. People tend to forget that the church is not a building, but its people.

Answer 10

Ornate Cathedrals are a waste of money. Do you realize that many of those Cathedrals built in the middle ages took decades and cost fortunes to build while peasants were dying of hunger?

Answer 11

I was going to answer this in a historical context until I read Tony's response. I don't think that I could improve upon or answer nearly as good as he did. Perfect response, Tony.