Christianity - Houses of Worship

1st event

30-33 CE: death of Jesus Christ

2nd event

312: Constantine’s conversion

3rd event

313: Edict of Milan

4th event 

325: Nicene Creed

5th event 

380 CE: Christianity becomes state religion of the Empire

6th event 

1054: East/West Schism

7th event

12th–13th c.: Rise of monastic orders

8th event

1517: Luther’s 95 Theses

9th event

1534: Church of England est.

10th event

1545–1563: Council of Trent

11th event 

Late 18th-19th century: massive missionary movements to Africa, Asia, & the Americas 

12th event

1962-65: Vatican II Council

Doctrine?

Trinitarian monotheism

What is Trinitarian monotheism

Christian doctrine that there is one God who exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit

altarpiece

work of art, typically a painting or sculpture, that is placed behind or above the altar in a Christian church to serve as a visual aid for worship and to decorate the spacebaptistery

baptistery

designated place for baptisms in a Christian church 

basilica

honorific title given by the Pope to a church that stands out

box pew 

enclosed, private pew with wooden walls and a door - popular in protestant churches from 16th to 19th centuries 

domus ecclesiae

private home in early Christian era that was adapted for communal Christian worship - popular before legalization of Christianity in 313 AD 

Gothic

medieval European style of architecture with towering height, pointed arches, and large stained glass windows 

Gothic Revival

architectural movement that revived medieval Gothic style and associated with Christianity

humanism

combines classical humanist ideals with Christian faith - advocating for human dignity, reason, and individual potential within a framework of Christian ideals 

Iconostasis

wall of icons that separates the sanctuary from the nave of the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches 

meetinghouse

a building used for religious gatherings, often associated for groups like quakers

megachurch

huge churches with large gatherings of sometimes a thousand people

mosaic

1. Mosaic law referring to the laws given to Moses by God 

2. Art form of mosaic which is a metaphor for the Churches community 

Plans: longitudinal & centralized

Longitudinal - a longitudinal plan is linear and elongated with a central axis (like a nave leading to an altar)

Centralized - centralized plan is symmetrical around a central point, often circular, square, or polygonal

Protestant Reformation

16th century religious movement that led to a split in Western Christianity, ending unity with Catholics 

Renaissance

period of intellectual and artistic “rebirth” that significantly influenced Christianity by sparking a renewed focus on original scripture, leading to a more scholarly approach 

rose window

circular design within the Christian faith refers to the infinite sphere of God and the endless nature of God’s love 

stained glass

used to visually tell biblical stories, symbolize divine light, and inspire worshippers

Vatican II Council

major council that reformed the Catholic Churches approach to modern world - resulting in key changes and definitions in Christiantiy