Why did Christians build magnificent church buildings?

Answer 1

The Middle Ages were a time of Holy Crusades, and Seige Warfare, Cathedrals were built huge, not only to make these places of worship "worthy of god" but also to ensure the buildings would withstand catapults, battering rams, and other seige-warfare weapons.

Answer 2

Depending on the time period, there are many different reasons. If you are thinking middle ages, it was because the Church was steadily rising in power and wanted to show the world. They glorified their religion with monstrous soaring churches in varying architectural styles. Many of the most beautiful things from this time period is from churches and cathedrals and their art. I wrote this without research, just from knowledge, so it may not be the best but it works.

Answer2: After Christ's death his disciples organized themselves into congregations, many of which met in private homes. (Philemon 2) For decades these congregations were cared for by spiritually "older men." (Acts 20:17, 28; Hebrews 13:17) After the death of the apostles, however, there was a falling away from true Christianity. (Acts 20:29, 30) In time, a number of elders elevated themselves above the others and became viewed as bishops having oversight of a number of congregations-something Jesus had warned against. (Matthew 23:9-12) The word "church," which originally applied to Christians themselves, was then also applied to their place of worship-the building itself. It wasn't long before some bishops sought to have churches that befitted their rank. A new term was thus coined to describe the bishop's church-the cathedral.

This term comes from the Greek word kathedra, meaning "seat." The cathedral was thus the bishop's throne, the symbol of his temporal power. From his cathedral the bishop presided over a jurisdiction, the bishopric.

"The Age of Cathedrals"

In 325 C.E., the Council of Nicaea formally recognized the establishment of bishops in cities. Supported now by the Roman State, the bishops frequently procured extensive gifts of land from the authorities. They also took over many pagan places of worship. When the Roman Empire foundered, the ecclesiastical structures survived and grew to be dominant in the Middle Ages. That period soon became what French historian Georges Duby calls "the Age of Cathedrals."

From the 7th century to the 14th century, Europe's population tripled. This demographic upheaval primarily benefited the cities, whose prosperity increased. Consequently, the richest episcopal cities were the most favorable sites for the growth of colossal cathedrals. Why? Because these grand projects could only flourish where there was a continuous flow of money!

Another factor that fueled the building of cathedrals was the popular veneration of the Virgin Mary and religious relics. This blossomed as never before in the 11th and 12th centuries. Bishops expanded this worship, thereby increasing the popularity of their cathedrals. The title Notre-Dame (Our Lady) began to grace cathedrals in France at this time. "Which town did not dedicate a church and often its cathedral to her?" asks the Catholic encyclopedia Théo. Thus, Saint-Étienne cathedral in Paris was dedicated to Notre-Dame. Notre-Dame cathedral in Chartres, France, became one of Europe's foremost shrines. "No single figure-not even Christ Himself-dominated the lives and thoughts of the cathedral builders as thoroughly as did the Virgin Mary," says The Horizon Book of Great Cathedrals.

Answer 3

After the persecution of Christians in the fourth century, churches were built both as gathering places and as monuments representing the people's faith in God. Christian buildings even carried over decorative styles from the non-Christian past. Christian churches were built in a way that was meant to convey what the people felt or needed at the time or what Christianity stood for at the time.

Answer 4

The Catholic Church was not built, so much as born. The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ (read St. Paul), it was born from His side, when He was pierced by a lance, as He hung dead on the cross and out flowed blood and water - symbolizing the Eucharist and Baptism. Later it was shown to the world at Pentecost. The Catholic Church is Jesus Christ present in the world, saving His people. The "Catholic" part simple means that while remaining one throughout the world, it is the universal means of salvation for all people, outside of which there is no salvation. "Outside the Church there is no salvation" (Extra ecclesiam nulla salus).

Answer 5

Cathedrals were built as monuments to the Christian God and symbols of architecture.

Answer 6

well i only know two reasons...

!. it was to be closer to god

2. it was a competition on who could build the cathedral the highest.

hoped that helped!

Answer 7

because they want to spend money