Church Buildings...?

Question

I have gone mostly to churches that are old buildings, or even houses converted into a place for people to gather. Why is it that a lot of churches, and mostly Catholic ones are HUGE ornate, expensive works of architecture?
I think they are lovely looking, but how do they pay for them? and wouldn't that money be better spent on helping those less fortunate?

Answer 1

A lot of churches have fairs or do things on the side to raise money. Generally though, members are supposed to give 10% of their income to their church. It's called a tithe (which means one tenth).

A real church is not the building, but the people who assemble there. The word "Ekklessia" means an orderly assembly of those called out of their homes, which is what the word translated "church" means. If a church membership includes thousands, or in the case of the Roman Catholic "Church", a billion or so, then 1 tenth of all their incomes can come out to quite a lot.

Here's the catch 22, a lot of people, particularly in the United States or the West, people like their places of worship to be clean and in well repair. Whether that is right or wrong, that's often why churches sink a lot of money into their buildings.

Consider this too: That money spent on a building doesn't just shoot up into heaven, never to be seen from again. It goes into a local economy, usually, for building materials and labor. Hence, that money DOES go to feeding people and giving jobs and such. The problem is, what are the people like that go to those huge churches?

I'm not going to say everyone in those churches are like this, but often it's the smaller churches that are missions minded. Our church is involved in a Scripture ministry. We put together pamphlets and books to be sent to missionaries. From what I've heard, it's the smallest churches that are often more involved in such programs. Also, in our little church of about 150 or so, we give about $50,000 a year to helping missionaries. In larger churches, from what I hear, individual giving is not so large in larger churches.

Our church was built by church members, and we have built a side building ourselves for the Scripture ministry and other classes, if we didn't spend that money, we wouldn't have the space to work with.

The mission of the church is to reach the lost, teach and train up the saved, and start more churches, often it helps to have a building to do that from.

Again, a New Testament "church" is a local assembly of born again believers. It's not the building itself. Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge a church by its church building, you have to listen to the preaching. That is where it is important.

Answer 2

I know what you are saying...and the money could go to the less fortunate. But there will always be "less fortunate" people. Catholic Charities is one of, if not the, top contributor world wide to help others.

If you read the Old Testament, God commanded the building of the temple. It was to be ornate and beautiful with golden sculptures etc. There is nothing wrong with expressing our love for God by building beautiful houses of worship.

The Pharisees said the same things, when the woman poured expensive oil on the feet of Jesus. They said it could have been sold and the money used to feed the poor. Jesus said...you will have poor always, but I will be here for only a short while. This means that it's okay to express our love and devotion this way.

Actually, you could say the same thing about government buildings. Many of them are done up very ornately, brick outside, expensive tile...all with the money of taxpayers. No one ever complains about that.

The money comes from the members of the Catholic Church. Donations etc.

Answer 3

Interesting question - but I think those who design and build houses of worship feel that the architecture and size should be worthy of a great God - we are affected by the buildings we are in and it is good to reflect the majesty, beauty and greatness of God as we are going to pray and worship there. You have to admit that a small house would not be the same as a Cathedral, etc.
And like all Real Estate/buildings - it is designed and paid for once and should be affordable with funds available - then to be enjoyed for a long time.
But your question is valid and always a tough one when the church spends money - where do you draw the line at expense and use money for good will and charity? One thought is that the great buildings draw more people and more money that can be used for the poor and service for years to come.
Our church built a new Education building in 2003 and we wanted it nice - which it is - and many families with children have come, and it has been affordable... I guess the answer is to seek God for direction when planning and budgeting.

Answer 4

Most Catholic churches built in this century, or at least the past 30 years are so, are not so elaborate.

In the past, Catholic churches were very elaborate, and so were others. Like you said most of these churches are old, and huge. But that was just a reflection of the times.

Nowadays there is a focus on more moderation, but I can't say the same thing for evangelical churches, which put in a lot of electronics, and such, and spend millions of dollars.

I agree money should go to the poor, not to elaborate buildings. But seeing that I don't belong to that faith, I cannot judge, and I cannot expect them to change for me.

Answer 5

Ornate church buildings are generally built out of respect for God. There's the (unfounded) idea that God somehow "lives" in the church and we want a nice place for him to hang out.

Another reason for the ornate decorations is historical. In times past very few people could read, and furthermore at least in the Catholic church the Bible was kept hidden from the average church member. The stained glass and statues were like pictorial story books that would remind the people of the works of the apostles and prophets and other men and women of God.

There are, on the other hand, buildings that are a monument to their builder. These are pretty obvious when you see them. If the pastor's name figures prominently on the church sign then you're looking at a monument to someone's pride, not a building built out of respect for God.

Answer 6

Your opinion is like my own and the other side is I assume is that building it's self is a house of god, or something like that.
The Catholic Church has been out of step with society for a long time to the determined of the poor around the world.
The Catholic church has been known to become the victim of great con jobs occasionally.
It also tends to behave in a manner that is counter to it's teachings.
According to a recent prophet this pope is supposed to be the last and the end of this world.
You know how any large organization tends to wonder off course I.E The U.S. Of America.
I hope you will continue to question authority and some times we make a difference.

Answer 7

Those older church buildings (in Europe) took centuries to build. The modern ones are only intended to be replicas. Churches cannot be built on that scale today. The money to build them came mostly from donations from rich people (kings & nobles).

Whole villages of craftspeople sprung up around the site:
stonemasons, blacksmiths, artisans, weavers, etc.
All these people were gainfully employed for a lifetime.
It was a huge make-work project to give glory to God.
The people were given the dignity of useful work.

They also needed farmers, millers, bakers, & butchers, in order that they might be fed. Yes, the donors became famous; but their gifts helped thousands of the less fortunate.

Giving money away, only feeds someone for a day.
Supporting someone for life, creates a whole village.
The money isn't sitting in those stones, it's in use.

Answer 8

A Church is a body of people, not a building. You could worship under a tree, God doesn't care, and he doesn't care what kind of building you gather in either. So go ahead and go to the church of your choice.

Answer 9

maximum pubs, have been peoples homes 'public living house' which they gained a license to sell liquor, for this reason lots of the older pubs corresponding to homes of the era. then you definitely have education resorts (for provide up overs , on a thank you to cities) and bars, (particular for alcohol intake). there isn't any evidence to propose that pubs have been used as church homes certainly england has many long status church homes going back to way in the previous the pubs.

Answer 10

I agree often in the past the church was built for a parish and needed to stand out. I do not think that is so much the case today. didn't Jesus condemn the temple it is not what it looks like so much as the peoples hearts who worship there.