Are there any Catholic churches that are just plain, simple, humble places without all the lavish decorations?

Question

I love the concept of the Catholic church as it was in early times, and would love to attend a simple and humble Catholic church.

123ABC, I'm referring to the Catholic churches in my town, one which has an organ that's the size of a home for a small family, and all the statues and stained glass and sky high ceilings. I'm not picking on Catholic churches, I'm just trying to find a Catholic church where I might feel comfortable.

Answer 1

Try monastery and convent chapels. Usually they will let you attend mass there, if they are cloistered that just means you can't sit with the monks or nuns, but there is still a place for outsiders.
You don't say where you are, but if you did, someone in that area might suggest something else.

Answer 2

lol. Right now, mine is about as simple and humble as you can get! We have a priest and two Masses every week, but it's in the basement of a multi-faith building. There is no stained glass, no statues, no pews. We all come to help set up chairs ahead of time. The lectern and the altar are simple but functional. So is the tabernacle, which (unfortunately) has to be kept in a closet. The vessels we use are all plain and inexpensive since we don't have much money. I love this church completely, though; it is one of the best I have ever been to. Everyone is there because they want to be there and the atmosphere is warm and loving. During the sign of peace, people will habitually cross the aisle to give out more hugs/handshakes. We sometimes have to be chased back to our seats at the start of the "Lamb of God!" The focus is on God and the focus is on community, and we don't have much money, but I feel that we are a rich parish indeed. I wouldn't trade it for the most elegant cathedral in Europe.

Answer 3

You've received some very good answers here about where/how to find them.

I would add, though, that everything you see inside a Catholic church building -- from a cathedral to a tiny chapel -- has significance, and is not intended just for decoration. All of it, from the stained glass windows to the gold and marble to the statues of the saints to the most ornate tabernacle to the very prominent crucifix, honors God and turns our minds and hearts to Him through our sense of sight. That is not to say that the more humble churches honor Him less, not at all; but even these tend to reserve the very best of what they have for Him.

Answer 4

I live in a small town, and the one here is fairly humble. there's still some stained glass and a statue of Jesus and Mary in the foyer, but nothing like the cathedrals in Europe. It's not just a blank white room with a stained tile ceiling either.

Answer 5

I would say go to a VERY small town somewhere in the Midwest. That would be as simple as they come since in the larger towns it is almost like keeping up with the Jones'!

Answer 6

There are some like that in Kansas. They are older catholic churches.

Answer 7

Look for a small parish; small both in physical size as well as in the size of the the congregation.

Answer 8

Go to Mass at one of the California Missions started by the Franciscans/Blessed Junipero Serra

http://www.ofm.org

Serra was amazing..

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

Harken to the Franciscan tradition and writings if you want simplicity and purity of Catholicism...

Secular Franciscan Order started by St. Francis

http://www.nafra-sfo.org/

Father Regis Armstrong OFMCap's books

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/105-6206195-9453258?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Regis%20J.%20Armstrong

Prayer of St. Francis..

Lord, make us instruments
of your peace.
Where there is hatred
let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not
so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood
as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving
that we receive;
It is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are
born to eternal life.

Amen

Answer 9

I've read Anglican churches are less lavish, but what do I know- I am not a Christian.

Answer 10

There is one here in Seattle that is tiny. I have not been inside though.