Church Architecture

Guardian Angel Cathedral
Artist: Paul R. Williams
1955-63 Architecture

Guardian Angel Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Winchester, Nevada, United States, in the Las Vegas Valley. It is just off the Las Vegas Strip. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. Casino owner Moe Dalitz donated land on the Las Vegas Strip. Although Jewish, Dalitz liked the idea of having a church convenient for his casino workers. He donated land near the Desert Inn in 1961. Dalitz was familiar with the work of Los Angeles architect Paul R. Williams and approached him to design the new church. Guardian Angel Shrine was opened on October 2, 1963. It achieved cathedral status in 1977.

Le Mans Cathedral
6th Century - 15th Century Architecture

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Le Mans Cathedral ( Cathédrale St-Julien du Mans) is a Catholic church situated in Le Mans, France. The cathedral was founded by Saint Julian of Le Mans, the city's first bishop, who established Christianity in the area around the beginning of the 4th century, and co-dedicated to The Virgin and to St Peter.

The links between Le Mans Cathedral and the Plantagenets were close, with events such as the marriage of Geoffrey and Matilda in 1128, the baptism of Henry II in 1133 and Geoffrey's burial in 1151. These relationships were strengthened by financial contributions from Henry II towards the refurbishment of the cathedral.

Marseille Cathedral
Artist: Léon Vaudoyer and Henri-Jacques Espérandieu
1852 - 96 Architecture

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Marseille Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille or Cathédrale de la Major) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and a national monument of France, located in Marseille. It has been a basilica minor since 1896. Part of the earlier, much smaller cathedral still remains, alongside the new cathedral. It was built in the 12th century in a simple Romanesque style.

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When we think of Christian architecture, we may picture towering cathedrals with intricate stained-glass windows, but the roots of this style are much more humble. The earliest Christian structures were not grand, but rather simple house churches. As Christianity grew, its places of worship grew in size and intricacy.

The transition from early Christian to medieval architecture paralelled societal and religious changes. The Romanesque style, characterized by its rounded arches and massive walls, was followed by the Gothic style with its pointed archs, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

Christian architecture has created some of the world’s most iconic structures. These buildings all share a common thread: they are physical manifestations of the Christian faith.

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