Church Architecture

St. Charles Cathedral
Architect: Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach
1716 - 1739 Architecture

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The Rektoratskirche St. Karl Borromäus, commonly called the Karlskirche (German for 'St. Charles Church'), is a Baroque church located on the south side of Karlsplatz in Vienna, Austria. Widely considered the most outstanding baroque church in Vienna, as well as one of the city's greatest buildings, the church is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, one of the great counter-reformers of the sixteenth century.

The Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) is the last great work of the eminent Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Completed in 1739, it was built by virtue of a vow made by Emperor Charles VI during a plague. The church is dedicated to the Habsburg emperor's namesake, St. Karl Borromäus. His life and works are depicted on the two giant columns (47 meters tall) next to the entrance portal. The lavish dome frescoes by Johannes Michael Rottmayr cover 1,250 meters squared of magnificent color.

St. Charles Cathedral appropriately honors the patron saint Charles Borromeo, who is known for feeding and ministering to those who suffered from Europe's 16th-century plagues.

St. David's Cathedral
Architect: Medieval masons, John Nash
1181 - mid 13th century Architecture

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St Davids Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral situated in St Davids, Britain's smallest city, in the county of Pembrokeshire, near the most westerly point of Wales. The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia, who died in 589. Over the ensuring years the area was raided and pillaged by Vikings who destroyed all the buildings.. In 1115, with the area under Norman control, King Henry I of England began construction of a new cathedral. In 1123, St Davids, was a center of pilgrimage for the Western world; the Pope decreed that "Two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem". The new cathedral was quickly constructed. Henry II of England's visit in 1171 saw the following of David increase and the need for a larger cathedral. The present cathedral was begun in 1181 and completed not long after.

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Rhodes
Architect: Armando Bernabiti
1936 - 39 Architecture

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The St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral (Greek: Εκκλησία του Αγ. Φραγκίσκου της Ασίζης) also called Catholic Cathedral of Rhodes, is a Roman Catholic church located in the city of Rhodes, Greece

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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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