Brothers+

The quote at the end of this missive came from a person who did not name the source.

We were having a discussion on the significance of buildings; at the end, my friend sent the quotes in the final lines.

When it comes to modern church buildings, I prefer simple buildings, lightly ornamented to some of the monstrosities of the past century.  I recall a Frank Lloyd Wright design (I like much of his work) that appeared to be modelled after an oil can.  There was no nave, the building was a squat round affair with a tall steeple, that from a distance appeared very like an oil can.  The interior was designed much like an amphitheatre.  The pews went round the inside of the oil can.  The altar was in the center, below the level of the pews.  While there was a sense of immediacy and nearness to the altar regardless of where one sat, there was not the sense of worship of the High and Holy.  I felt like a spectator at an event rather than a soul making an ascent to the Holy Place.

I prefer the old churches, especially the ones with art and functional design that continuously told the Gospel story from the moment one entered the door until one came to the altar.  A Church of that sort tells of our first meeting with God at baptism and of our journey with our Lord through life's moments until we arrive at the Great Banquet and hear the words "come you blessed of the Father, inherit the Kingdom."

Of course buildings are not the church.  The following quote illumins the relationship between the church and the building that temporarily houses it. 

"Charity, by the way, was the cement that holds the stones together.  
And who remains in charity remains in God. This is the church. Buildings 
have been exaggerated so much to the neglect of those for whom the buildings exist."

Blessings and Peace,

Charles+

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