Church Architecture

Church Architecture is the process and product of church building. It dates back to the time of Noah, who built an ark - a prefigurement of the Catholic Church; to the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who each prefigured Jesus Christ and were the patriarches of the Church ("House") of Israel; to the time of Moses, who built the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant; and to the time of the Israelite kings - especially Solomon, who built the Temple - and the time of the prophets - especially Eziekel, who foresaw the Church as the New Israel. Christian churches started out as house churches at the time Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire. Churches as we know them today - buildings specifically designed for worship - didn't exist until the late 3rd century, when Christianity was legalized. Ecclesiastical architecture has gone through various styles and changes throughout history, being influenced by varying cultures, people, and other kinds of architectures and religions. The most famous church architecture is Gothic, which has a light yet complex feeling to it. The most well-known example of a Gothic church is the Notre Dame Cathedral. This article is about the history of church architecture.