Early Church Architecture

Hello guys!! I'm back on the blogging track again. I'm going to talk about several Early Sacred and Modern Sacred Architecture building according to respective religions in the coming posts. I'll start off with early Church Architecture as Christian consists of 32 percent of the world’s population (Jennifer, 2016).

Church Architecture reflected the faith's growing social as Christianity grew in public recognition.  Christianity had a rough start at first but then it slowly expanded thoroughly through the Roman Empire (Newton, n.d.). As the Christian population increased, it often required ceremonies and places for meeting that was why in the Early Church Architecture it adapted architectural supplies from Roman Architecture for example, basilica, the atrium of the house, baths, tombs and mausoleums, paintings and mosaics (Newton, n.d.).

Though Roman had plenty of temples that can be converted into a Church but they were not suitable for Christianity as it liked to hold religious meetings in ancient times that was why Basilica was selected. Moreover, Roman temple architecture mostly emphasized on the exterior instead of the interior, it can be seen in most of the famous Roman Architecture like Colosseum, Baalbek and so on. Basilica is defined a kingly, and secondarily a beautiful, hall in architectural term while in canonical sense it's defined as 'a title assigned by formal concession or immemorial custom to certain more important Churches' (Newadvent.org, n.d.). Basilica had the ideal amount of space to consist legions of Christians to come for meeting.

The exterior of Colosseum 

Source : (Colosseum of Rome Pictures, n.d.)

The inside of Colosseum

Source : (Italy Travel Agent | Rome, n.d.)

 The exterior of Baalbek

Source：(Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek, n.d.)

The inside of Baalbek

Source : (Top 10 Most Beautiful and Biggest Temple, n.d.)

Basilica used 'typical architectural elements of the Roman empire, such as arches, clerestory windows, and colonnades with entablatures' (профиль, 2010). Entablature is defined as 'a horizontal part in classical architecture that rests on the columns and consists of architrave, frieze, and cornice' (Webster, n.d.). The basilica usually had a central aisle, accompany with rows of columns at both of the sides. The interior was lavishly decorated with stunning marbles and mosaic portraying religious scenes and art to educate believers (Oldandsold.com, n.d.). The exterior of early Christian Structures were made of stones and brick as it was influenced by the Roman Architecture.

Exterior of St. Peter's Basilica 

Source : (St. Peter's Basilica Facade Picture, n.d.)

One of the most famous Basilica in Rome, St. Peter's Basilica

Source: (Inside St. Peter's Basilica, n.d.)

I'm going to end the post now, feel free to leave comments, i'll be more than grateful to reply. Ciao!

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References :

Jennifer, H. (2016). 84 percent of the world population has faith; a third are Christian - Washington Times. [online] Washingtontimes.com. Available at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/dec/23/84-percent-world-population-has-faith-third-are-ch/ [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Oldandsold.com. (n.d.). Features of the Early Church Architecure. [online] Available at: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles10/famous-buildings-14.shtml [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Newadvent.org. (n.d.). CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Basilica. [online] Available at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02325a.htm [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Newton, K. (n.d.). Early Christian Architecture: Examples, History & Characteristics - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com. [online] Study.com. Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/early-christian-architecture.html [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Study.com. (2016). Early Christian Architecture: Examples, History & Characteristics - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com. [online] Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/early-christian-architecture.html [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Webster, M. (n.d.). Definition of ENTABLATURE. [online] Merriam-webster.com. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entablature [Accessed 25 May 2016].

профиль, П. (2010). arch: Early Christian Architecture. [online] Lena-arch.blogspot.my. Available at: http://lena-arch.blogspot.my/p/early-christian-architecture.html [Accessed 25 May 2016].



Image Sources :

Colosseum of Rome Pictures. (n.d.). [image] Available at: http://famouswonders.com/wp-content/gallery/colosseum-of-rome/inside-the-colosseum.jpg [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. (n.d.). [image] Available at: https://b.geolocation.ws/img/014/517/767-F.jpg [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Italy Travel Agent | Rome. (n.d.). [image] Available at: https://expatexplore.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shutterstock_147643964.jpg [Accessed 25 May 2016].

St. Peter's Basilica Facade Picture. (n.d.). [image] Available at: https://www.askideas.com/media/39/St.-Peters-Basilica-Facade-Picture.jpg [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek. (n.d.). [image] Available at: http://pre07.deviantart.net/44ad/th/pre/f/2013/307/1/a/mg_0804_5_6_tonemapped_by_khaled_etman-d6syod2.jpg [Accessed 25 May 2016].

Top 10 Most Beautiful and Biggest Temple. (n.d.). [image] Available at: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCdZcBEaE8/TvvQqlq3cZI/AAAAAAAAApA/KYl4vok59l8/s1600/Baalbek+temple.JPG [Accessed 25 May 2016].